"Corey Brewer began his Monday in Portland, and ended it in Portland as well.

In between, he traveled more than eight hours and 2,000 miles, ending up right where he left the Timberwolves on Saturday night: in the starting lineup, this time against the Trail Blazers.

Early Sunday, Brewer flew from the Twin Cities to Portland, Tenn. -- his hometown, about 30 miles north of Nashville -- to be with his ill father, Pee Wee.

He awoke Monday morning, flew to Portland, Ore., and arrived at the team's hotel about 3:30 p.m. Before 5, he stepped onto the Rose Garden court and received a yelp and a big hug from Michael Beasley.

Brewer's father -- whose given name is Ellis -- has battled diabetes and heart problems since Corey was in high school.

"He's all right, about as good as he can be right now," Brewer said. "He's a fighter. I think he'll pull through."

Brewer delivered 23 points and five steals in Saturday's home loss to Orlando, knowing a flight back home early the next morning was waiting. He scored 10 points in the 113-102 loss to Portland on Monday.

"I'm just trying to play," he said. "I try not to think about it too much, but I think about it.""