MINNEAPOLIS (Nov 2, 1996 - 01:06 EST) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves gave away T-shirts Friday night that featured pictures of rookie Stephon Marbury and the slogan "Breaking ankles."

Marbury thought he did.

The Wolves' highly regarded point guard twisted his right ankle when he came down awkwardly after missing a shot. He crumpled to the floor and was helped to the locker room, returning only briefly during the third quarter of Minnesota's 82-78 victory over San Antonio.

"I did think I broke it, I ain't going to lie," Marbury said after limping out of the training room. "I couldn't walk after that. ... It was like when you hit your funny bone."

The ankle was only sprained and was sore but not badly swollen after the game. Coach Flip Saunders said he hoped Marbury would be available when the Wolves begin a four-game road trip Sunday against the Lakers.

Marbury missed all three of his shots and finished with three rebounds and two assists, not the kind of debut the Wolves or their fans had hoped for after Marbury averaged 17.3 points during the preseason to lead all rookies.

Marbury's first game had been eagerly anticipated since the Wolves traded Ray Allen, the fifth overall pick in June's draft, to Milwaukee for Marbury along with center Andrew Lang. The Bucks picked Marbury fourth, and Minnesota hopes the 19-year-old will develop into one of the league's premier point guards.

"It was hard sitting on the bench watching them play," Marbury said. "I'm just glad we won. If we wouldn't have won, I don't think I would have been able to go to sleep."