Ricky Rubio Injury: Updates on Timberwolves Star's Ankle and Recovery
Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio is one of the NBA's fastest-rising stars, but the 24-year-old phenom's ascent has been delayed this season due to an ankle injury. He returned to the court for the first time since November on Feb. 2 against the Dallas Mavericks.
Continue for updates.
Rubio to Play vs. Dallas
Monday, Feb. 2
Ricky Rubio will play tonight for Minnesota, according to John Focke of the Timberwolves Radio Network:
Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune previously passed along comments from Rubio on his injured ankle, who said he will test it in warm-ups, and if he feels good, he will return to action.
Zgoda and Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press first reported yesterday Rubio could play Monday vs. the Mavericks after being ruled out for Saturday.
Rubio Cautioned Against Returning Too Early
Friday, Jan. 23
The Timberwolves revealed specialists cautioned against Rubio returning too early, according to head coach Flip Saunders:
"According to Saunders, the team has spoken to two specialists and both have said that a premature return could result in a stress fracture due to a bone bruise.
"Anyone that's been around the team knows that there's no one that works harder than him," Saunders said before Wednesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. "Him not playing right now - I want to clear the air - has nothing to do with him not wanting to play or not working to try to play. He's doing everything he can. We as an organization have been the ones that have tried to hold him back.
[...]
As of now, his status remains out indefinitely."
"
Rubio Participates in Contact Drills
Tuesday, Jan. 20
Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press reported on Ricky Rubio's recovery as he inches closer to a return from an ankle injury:
On Jan. 12, Andy Greder of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported the latest in Rubio's recovery:
On Jan. 7, Zgoda noted Rubio's recovery from his ankle injury was taking longer than expected as he still had not been cleared for contact:
Rubio Was Expected Back in Mid-January
Monday, Dec. 29
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports reported on the timetable for Ricky Rubio's return to the Minnesota Timberwolves:
"The Minnesota Timberwolves expect point guard Ricky Rubio to return from his severe ankle injury in mid-January, a league source told Yahoo Sports.
Rubio has missed 24 games with a severely sprained left ankle he suffered on Nov. 7 at Orlando. He took part in three-quarter speed running exercises and shooting drills on the floor at Oracle Arena prior to the T'wolves' game against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night. If an upcoming MRI shows his ankle is healing according to schedule, he could participate in contract drills next week.
"I am trying to do my best," Rubio said. "Sometimes it is a little bit painful. I got to get through that. Some things are mentally [challenging]. I just push myself and try to come back as soon as a I can."
"
Rubio Comments on Injury
Sunday, Dec. 28
Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune spoke with Ricky Rubio about when he expects to return to the floor:
"Christmas has come and gone, and Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio didn’t reach the target date he once set for his return from an ankle he severely sprained seven weeks ago.
He is back running and now refuses to prognosticate the date of his return.
“I wish,” Rubio said Saturday when asked if he knows when he will play again. “I’ve been saying it’s two weeks for the last month. I don’t want to say anymore dates. I’ve been saying in two weeks I think I’ll be ready and two weeks go by and I still can’t play and I get mad. I don’t want to get in a bad mood again. I’m not going to ask for a date again. I go as my body will let me do.”
"
Rubio Out vs. Nuggets, Could Scrimmage Next Week
Saturday, Dec. 27
The Timberwolves provided an update on Rubio's status:
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports had more detail:
Rubio Remains Out with Ankle Injury
Sunday, Dec. 21
The Timberwolves confirmed the Ricky Rubio remains out with an ankle injury:
On Friday, Flip Saunders hoped that the point guard would be ready for contact in two weeks, via Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune:
Rubio has faced plenty of adversity throughout his young career, and the 2014-15 season has been a particularly trying one for him thus far.
During the T'Wolves' Nov. 7 game against the Orlando Magic, Rubio was forced to leave after rolling his ankle. The ailment was serious enough to necessitate the use of crutches. While the injury has kept him out of action for a while, he dodged a bullet because there were no breaks or structural damage.
The injury slowed down what had been a hot start to the season for the fourth-year NBA player. According to ESPN Stats & Info, he was averaging career bests across several major categories over his first four contests:
If nothing else, that was an encouraging sign for the Timberwolves after they decided to invest heavily in Rubio. Minnesota doled out a hefty four-year contract extension at the commencement of the 2014-15 campaign.
Rubio seemed to be making good on that vote of confidence, but there are questions regarding his durability as he looks to return to the lineup.
In addition to a pair of ailments this season, Rubio has struggled to remain healthy throughout his career. The 2013-14 season marked the first time he completed a full 82-game slate. Prior to that, though, he missed a combined 50 games during his first two years in the league.
Rubio is quickly developing into a spectacular player with offensive flair and underrated defensive capabilities, but that doesn't help the Timberwolves unless he can remain in the lineup.
The dynamic Spaniard is still young, so there is plenty of time to make good on the games he has missed. If these issues persist, however, it may be tough for him to reach his true potential.
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