Ricky Rubio could reportedly return to the Cleveland Cavaliers lineup as soon as Thursday when the Cavs play the Trail Blazers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
ESPN SOURCES: After a full year of rehabbing a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio is targeting a comeback against the Trail Blazers on Thursday. Rubio will train today and, if all goes well, play in Portland tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/wB5RzNhRdy
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 11, 2023
If all goes well when Rubio trains with the team on Wednesday, he will play against Portland, according to Woog. The Cavs (26-16) will welcome Rubio’s ostentatious playmaking abilities and veteran presence to a team looking to secure its playoff spot after All-Star weekend. Before tearing his ACL, Rubio helped lead Cleveland to a 20-14 start.
When he was last healthy, Rubio was averaging 13.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. Rubio is known as one of the most popular teammates in the NBA and was close friends with Donovan Mitchell while they were playing for the Utah Jazz.