SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Kings center Brad Miller will miss at least four weeks with an injured left foot, adding the biggest problem yet to Sacramento's early season woes.

The 7-foot Miller, a three-time All-Star, played for the U.S. national team at the world championships in Japan this summer. He was diagnosed with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot Monday after the injury limited his playing time on the Kings' road trip last week.

The ninth-year pro has averaged 6.0 points in the Kings' first three games, going 8-for-28 from the field. An MRI yielded the result Sacramento feared after Miller was limited to 15 minutes in Saturday's loss at Milwaukee.

Miller declined comment when he showed up in the Kings' locker room 45 minutes before Monday's game with Minnesota, using crutches and wearing an immobilizing boot on his foot.

Forwards Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Kenny Thomas and Maurice Taylor will team up to replace Miller for the Kings. The 6-9 Abdur-Rahim, who filled in at center last season when Miller missed three games with a thumb injury, seemed confident in his ability to defend the NBA's tallest players.

"It's not like it's something I haven't done before," Abdur-Rahim said. "It's different against bigger guys. I'll have to use the advantages I might have and just try to keep them off the glass."

Abdur-Rahim might benefit from the injury in several ways. The longtime starter came off the bench last season in deference to Thomas, who also plays better when he's in the starting lineup.

"Obviously I feel better starting, going out and getting warmed up to play that way," Abdur-Rahim said. "The main point is getting off to a good start."

Coach Eric Musselman's first season in Sacramento already has been scarred by injuries and controversy. Guard Mike Bibby returned from a thumb injury two weeks earlier than expected to play in last week's season opener, but is playing with pain ¡ª and struggling with 30 percent shooting.

In addition, Musselman was arrested on drunk-driving charges shortly before the regular season began.