"The last time Nets forward Yi Jianlian played, on Nov. 2, his team was 0-4 and mired in an early-season slump. In his absence, the team fired its head coach, set an NBA record for futility and lurched through an almost insurmountable patch of injuries.

Yi returned to work Monday. But after putting his new team through its first full practice under his watch, Nets head coach Kiki Vandeweghe said he was still unsure whether Yi would return to the lineup Wednesday against Minnesota. Yi will work out with the team again on Tuesday.

"It takes more than one or two practices to be ready," Vandeweghe said following an extended workout at Nets headquarters. "But I know he wants to play very badly. We'll just have to make a judgment call if it's the right thing to do."

Yi injured his right knee back in November, then caught a Sean Williams elbow in the mouth on Dec. 5. He needed 50 stitches and missed further time thanks to the inadvertent blow.

He has missed chunks of time in all three of his NBA seasons.

Sweat dripped down his face as reporters surrounded him after practice.

"I'm feeling good," Yi said. He has walked fine for a while, so "the knee is feeling good right now."

If Yi looks ready to go, Vandeweghe said he may be in the starting lineup. He would most likely replace Josh Boone.

Yi averaged 8.6 points and 5.3 rebounds a game last year. "