Preferring to err on the side of caution, Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders said point guard Terrell Brandon might miss "15 to 20" games before he's ready to return after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

Brandon went on the injured list Dec. 18 and had surgery two days later to remove a pea-sized piece of loose cartilage in the joint. He was walking without a limp in a couple of days and has been rehabbing the knee since then.

The 31-year-old playmaker, who was averaging 13.2 points, 9.0 assists and 32.4 minutes when he was sidelined, missed his eighth game Wednesday when the Wolves faced the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center. If Brandon misses 15 games, he will return for the team's game at Phoenix on Jan. 18. If he is out 20, he will be back against Atlanta on Jan. 26 -- 5 1/2 weeks after sitting down.