Ricky Rubio and J.J. Barea To Miss Minnesota Timberwolves' Last Preseason Game

Minnesota Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman announced after practice Tuesday that point guards Ricky Rubio and J.J. Barea will both sit out Wednesday night's preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Rubio twisted his right ankle during the first preseason game against the Bucks on Saturday and Barea is resting a bruise on his hip.

Rubio tweaked the ankle during the first half of the game and went to the locker room to get it re-taped. He returned soon after and didn't seem to be effected by it at all. He ended the game with six points, seven assists and seven rebounds in 23 minutes of action.

Neither Rubio or Barea have practiced this week and they will both be staying in Minnesota to rest their injuries while the team travels to Milwaukee. Adelman said that they don't consider either injury to be serious.

"I just think they want to be precautionary right now," coach Rick Adelman said about the team's training staff, "and make sure they get treatment and get healthy so they can practice by the end of the week, before the first game."

Rubio stated through his Twitter account: "First trip w the team and I can't do it cuz my ankle. But I gonna be ready for 26th. Big things are coming. Good luck tomorrow teammates."

Luke Ridnour and rookie Malcom Lee will see extended playing time without Rubio or Barea in the lineup. The Timberwolves open up the regular season next Monday, December 26.