Even if Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett doesn't play another game this season, he is all but guaranteed to lead the NBA in rebounding for the fourth consecutive season, something only Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone and Dennis Rodman have done.

Garnett wasn't in attendance Friday night at Target Center when his team lost 110-91 to the San Antonio Spurs, the second straight game he has missed with soreness in his right quadriceps. Neither coach Randy Wittman nor Garnett's agent, Andy Miller, had a medical update Friday. Wittman merely confirmed that Garnett was in the Los Angeles area, where he was expected to seek a second opinion.

Garnett's final averages this season are likely to read 22.4 points, 12.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

Only 26 players in NBA history have more rebounds than Garnett's 10,542. Garnett will have to wait until next season to try to pass Jack Sikma, next on the list with 10,816.

For historical perspective, consider the company Garnett keeps. The three players immediately behind Garnett are David Robinson (10,497), Dave Cowens (10,444) and Bill Laimbeer (10,400). Garnett also passed Otis Thorpe, Johnny Kerr and Bob Lanier this season.

Chamberlain put together two separate four-year streaks leading the league in rebounding. Malone (five years) and Rodman (seven) are the only players with longer streaks than Garnett.

Tyson Chandler of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets ranks second in the NBA with an average of 12.4

Wittman said he has never 0seen a better defensive rebounder.

"Almost to a fault for our team because I think all of us expect him to get every defensive rebound," Wittman said. "I think that sometimes hurts us. ... He has just such unbelievable feel for where the ball's coming off the rim. His ability as an athlete, size and speed, comes into that. But it's that innate talent to have, reading angles where the ball is coming off. He does a great job of that."

Despite Garnett's contributions, the Wolves rank among the league's worst rebounding teams.