By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
More than a year after an ACL tear in December 2021 ended his previous season, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio returned to the court, helping the Cavaliers to a 119-113 come-from-behind win over the host Portland Trail Blazers.
Playing on a minutes limit, Rubio saw 10 minutes of action off the bench, scoring nine points on 3-of-5 shooting and grabbing three rebounds.
“It felt good,” Rubio said of his first game. “It felt weird in the beginning, especially the first time, but after that it felt back to normal. Of course rhythm and all that stuff will come, but today was a lot of emotions out there. Working hard all year just to be healthy and grateful to be out there playing basketball again.”
Rubio’s Cleveland teammates were equally excited to see him back on the court. He was a key part of the Cavaliers’ fast start last season, but was traded to the Indiana Pacers during his rehabilitation before returning to Cleveland as a free agent, citing the team’s chemistry as a reason to come back.
An offseason trade also reunited Rubio with Cavaliers newcomer Donovan Mitchell, his teammate for the first two seasons of Mitchell’s career with the Utah Jazz.
“I couldn’t stop smiling,” Mitchell said. “It felt like my rookie year. For me, it’s just a full-circle moment, but it’s great to see him out there after the ACL. And also, hitting two big 3s for us, leading the offense.”