Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett is set to exceed the 40,000-minute mark in minutes played, probably by Thanksgiving.

Garnett enters the upcoming NBA season with 39,635, more than Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Isiah Thomas and Dominique Wilkins. And he still has three years left on his current deal.

The Big Ticket could have eclipsed the mark some time ago had he stayed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he would have continued to log major minutes, or if he did not sustain the injuries he did in his two seasons with Boston so far.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers continues to be the head, president and chairman of the Kevin Garnett Preservation Society, better known as the KGPS, in playing a third of his Big Three just 32.8 and 31.1 minutes a game in his time with the Cs.

The averages are Garnett's lowest since his rookie year, but he's enjoyed his best points per shot production in his last two seasons.

Only three Celtics, John Havlicek, Robert Parish and Bill Russell have crossed the 40,000-minute barrier, with 46,451, 45,704 and 40,736 minutes to their name respectively.

Russell has been the only player in the 40k club to do so in fewer than 1,000 games, needing just 963 contests.

Garnett enters this year No. 24 all-time in minutes played. Only two active players have logged more playing time - Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Kidd.