The excitement over Ricky Rubio’s rookie year is over after the Timberwolves point guard tore the anterior-cruciate ligament in his left knee Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Timberwolves officials said after the game they were concerned Rubio’s knee injury was a tear and Saturday morning an MRI confirmed those fears, writes Jerry Zgoda of the Star-Tribune. Rubio was hustling over to help trap Kobe Bryant near the Timberwolves bench when his knee buckled, causing him to fall to the ground in pain.
He tried to walk during an ensuing timeout, but only made it a few steps before the knee gave out on him and he was helped back to the bench. Teammates helped him to the locker room at the game’s conclusion and he later left the arena walking with the help of a friend.
Zgoda writes that Rubio will not only miss the rest of the season, but most likely the 2012 Summer Olympics as well. The Timberwolves were in the middle of resurgence, finally getting over .500 late in the season and in the hunt for the playoffs. Rubio’s injury almost guarantees the T-Wolves will likely hold on to Luke Ridnour for the rest of the season. The team could still make a run at the postseason since they’re expecting to get J.J. Barea back from injury next week. Rubio’s injury also means rookie guard Malcolm Lee will likely get recalled from the T-Wolves D-League affiliate in Sioux Falls to help bolster the back court.
