Ricky Rubio nearing return to Cavaliers after year-long rehab
Jan. 7—Point guard Ricky Rubio is expected to be back in the Cavaliers' lineup soon, possibly before the Cavs complete the five-game road trip that began Jan. 6 in Denver and ends Jan. 14 in Minnesota with stops at Phoenix (Jan. 8), Utah (Jan. 10) and Portland (Jan. 12) in between.
Rubio last played Dec. 23, 2021, in a game against the Pelicans in New Orleans. He stepped awkwardly and his left ACL was torn, ending his season.
The Cavaliers traded him to the Indiana Pacers last February for Caris LeVert and then signed him back to the roster in free agency.
Rubio has been practicing with the Cavs at Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence. Team doctors, trainers and coaches have been very patient with his rehab. They care about Rubio as a person first, but also want him healthy for what they hope is a deep playoff run in the spring.
"Guys want to come back and want to play," Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said recently. "He's older and has been through this injury before. He has a really good understanding of his body. Our training staff and medical group, they lay a plan out and hold the guys to it."
Rubio, 32, was averaging 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game before he was injured. The Cavaliers were 20-14 with Rubio in the lineup.
