"Timberwolves rookie Wesley Johnson was so excited to see Jonny Flynn walk on the Target Center floor for Tuesday's practice that he slipped in a one-liner before the team went to work.

"I teased him that this is the first time we've been on the court together since Syracuse," Johnson said.

Flynn, recovering from hip surgery, was cleared for limited practice after he was evaluated Monday in Vail, Colo., by Dr. Marc Phillippon of the Steadman Clinic. Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn made the trip with Flynn.

Phillippon performed the July 27 surgery on Flynn to repair a torn labrum in his left hip and had kept the Wolves point guard under strict orders for no physical activity for more than two months, including no jumping when he did shooting drills.

"I was told that everything has healed correctly, but I still want to take it slow," Flynn said. "I still have to listen to my body and be cautious."

Flynn participated in light drills Tuesday and ran a few half-court plays. Tuesday's practice was more of a walk-through in preparation for tonight's regular-season opener against Sacramento at Target Center. Phillippon advised Flynn to limit his practice activity for a week before resuming full-scale activity, including contact and scrimmaging. "