The person asked not to be identified because the Suns have not officially revealed that surgery is planned.

The dynamic Bledsoe has been a crucial element in Phoenix's surprising success this season. Acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, Bledsoe has teamed with Goran Dragic to form a dynamic backcourt that has been the catalyst to the Suns' 21-13 record.

Bledsoe, averaging 18 points and 5.8 assists, has missed the last four games with what had been described as a sprained knee. The Suns are 16-8 with Bledsoe and 5-5 without him.

The planned surgery, believed to be to repair a meniscus injury, was first reported by ESPN.

While Bledsoe's offense, particularly his ability to penetrate the lane, has been an important part of the Suns' success, his strong defense will be missed even more.

First-year Phoenix general manager Ryan McDonough made acquiring Bledsoe an early goal, obtaining him from the Clippers in a three-team deal that sent Jared Dudley to Los Angeles.

Bledsoe, who had been Chris Paul's backup with the Clippers, excelled in the bigger role with the Suns, although he was sidelined earlier for six games with a bruised shin.


WOLVES TURMOIL


One day after things fell apart on the court and in the locker room, the Minnesota Timberwolves gathered to try to clear the air and move forward from a disastrous home loss to Phoenix.

The Timberwolves met at Target Center on Thursday for a film session and light shootaround, but canceled a full practice after giving away a nine-point lead late in a 104-103 loss to the Suns on Wednesday night. Kevin Love criticized Dante Cunningham and J.J. Barea for sulking on the bench after the game, and the Wolves dropped to 0-10 in games decided by four points or less.

The Wolves were not available to the media on Thursday, but did meet to discuss the game.

They hit the floor next on Friday against the Charlotte Bobcats.


RODMAN APOLOGY


Dennis Rodman apologized Thursday for comments he made in North Korea about a detained American missionary, saying he had been drinking and was under pressure as he organized a game with former NBA players.

The former basketball star issued the apology through publicist Jules Feiler in an email message to The Associated Press, a day after he sang "Happy Birthday" to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the start of the friendly game.

Rodman has been slammed for not using his influence with Kim to help free Kenneth Bae, the missionary in poor health who is being confined in North Korea for "anti-state" crimes. In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Rodman implied Bae was at fault.

"I want to apologize," Rodman said Thursday. "I take full responsibility for my actions. It had been a very stressful day. Some of my teammates were leaving because of pressure from their families and business associates. My dreams of basketball diplomacy was quickly falling apart. I had been drinking. It's not an excuse but by the time the interview happened I was upset. I was overwhelmed. It's not an excuse, it's just the truth."

Rodman said he wanted to apologize first to Bae's family. "I'm very sorry. At this point I should know better than to make political statements. I'm truly sorry."


CURRY MOVES AHEAD IN VOTING


Stephen Curry, an NBA All-Star snub last year, is in position to start this year's game.

The Golden State sharpshooter moved past Chris Paul into second place among Western Conference guards Thursday when the third returns of fan balloting were released.

Curry trails the Lakers' Kobe Bryant but is about 26,000 votes ahead of Paul, the injured Clippers' point guard. Voting runs through Jan. 20, and the starters for the Feb. 16 game in New Orleans will be announced Jan. 23.

Curry wasn't chosen last season despite averaging 20.9 points at the time of the selections. He was the league's eighth-leading scorer at the time and the highest one not chosen for the game.

Paul ended up being voted the MVP of the West's victory in Houston.

Heat forward LeBron James leads all players with 1.076 million votes, fewer than 22,000 ahead of Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant. Miami teammate Dwyane Wade is on pace to join James in the Eastern Conference lineup, along with Paul George of Indiana, Carmelo Anthony of New York and Kyrie Irving of Cleveland.

Houston's Dwight Howard and the Clippers' Blake Griffin are running second and third in the West frontcourt.


LEBRON EAGER TO WORK WITH MANZIEL


LeBron James speaks often of his love of football and willingness to help younger players.

It makes having a relationship with Johnny Manziel a perfect fit.

James said Thursday he texted the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner often this past season after Manziel's camp reached out for advice on how to handle intense scrutiny, something the four-time NBA MVP has been dealing with since high school. James was in contact with Manziel before and after the quarterback's Texas A&M games this fall.

James and Manziel will apparently have plenty more chances to interact in the future. Manziel is opting to be an early entrant to the NFL draft and is expected to be affiliated with LRMR, the management company operated by James' close friend, Maverick Carter.

"I think at the end of the day, he's an unbelievable competitor and we love what he brings to the table as far as being a football player and as far as being a young man that's trying to strive for greatness, so we're just happy we're able to be a friend of his and be able to help him," James said before Miami's game against the Knicks.

Contributors: DeAntae Prince, Jason O. Boyd, The Associated Press