By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Cleveland Cavaliers will take all the necessary time that will be needed for guard Ricky Rubio to make an optimal return to action when he’s 100 percent ready to play in a game. Rubio has been sidelined with a torn ACL injury since December 2022.
As Cleveland.com reports, the Cavaliers are working towards Rubio’s comeback with gradual steps so that his return will be as smooth as possible. The Spanish guard is expected to debut this season around late December or early January if his condition allows it.
Per Cleveland.com:
“Sources say the Cavs are not going to rush him back. They understand the stark difference between workout shape and game shape and want to make sure he’s fully ready before his first NBA appearance since last year.”
“This week is the 11-month mark since Ricky Rubio suffered the damaging injury, which led to him being flipped for Caris LeVert at last season’s trade deadline. If Rubio, who rejoined Cleveland as a free agent this offseason, is attempting to come back about a year removed from surgery, that would mean returning around late December or early January. Sources say the Cavs are not going to rush him back. They understand the stark difference between workout shape and game shape and want to make sure he’s fully ready before his first NBA appearance since last year.”
Rubio signed a three-year, 18 million contract last summer to return to the Cavs after he was acquired by the Indiana Pacers on a trade in February. He was playing some of the most productive basketball of his NBA run prior to his injury, averaging a career-high-tying 13.1 points, plus 6.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds.