Ricky Rubio Injury Update: Begins Light Practice with TWolves

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Ricky Rubio’s fans are excited about the Spanish sensation’s return to court. Thus, here is some good news for fans who are awaiting that return. Ricky has already rejoined his team for practice, albeit for a limited time only. This is a good sign and right on target with the projected return to play, which was  December.

In case Rubio does manage to return by December, this will be beneficial for his team given that the Minnesota Timberwolves had been ravaged by injury as of this season. Rubio had been out of the court since March after he tore his ACL on the left knee . He had already undergone surgery and extensive therapy as part of his rehabilitation process and his light practice on the court is the biggest progress he has had so far since getting injured.

While Rubio was out, all-star Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves also had to sit out several games due to injury (broken right hand). The two, however, had joined their team’s practice despite during the instructional portions only.  They have also partaken in a few drills, too.

More good things await the TWolves with Rubio’s impending return as Kevin Love has finally suited up to play. Despite returning to a losing effort, fans of the TWolves can only expect for the better as they will eventually be in top shape soon. During his return,

With only a few weeks left to wait, fans should be excited at the prospect of Rubio returning to play. And with Brandon Roy out, it would be absolutely necessary.

Kevin Love Injury Update

With Pekovic obtaining a sprained ankle and Chase Budinger undergoing surgery, the Minnesota Timberwolves are clearly facing a ton of injuries that has somewhat incapacitated their lineup. With so many injuries, one cannot help but question for how long the team is going to take it. This only fuels fans' excitement about the return of the team's biggest superstars from the injury list, namely Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love.

In an earlier post, I've discussed about the possibility of Rubio returning by December but he is quick to point out that he won't rush the return. In the case of Kevin Love, he had already submitted an X-ray of his right hand to a New York hand specialist for it to be properly examined. A couple of bones were reportedly broken in Love's hand while he was performing knuckle push-ups.

The hand specialist will evaluate the progress of Love's injury recovery based upon what is seen in the X-ray. The same doctor already examined Love last October and said that he won't be needing a surgery. Hence, the Wolves' power forward is positive about his recovery and is looking at his return to the court. Love says, "Hopefully, the next step is strengthening, flexibility and gradually get into dribbling."

When asked about when he might get to see action again, he cited "early December". Another good sign? Love has removed the protective cast on his hand, which means that he is one step closer to getting back in condition for the game. However, his doctor has advised him from doing any contact drills as of yet, especially ones that requires the use of his hand.

TWolves Overcome Injury Woes to Deal Mavs Their Third Consecutive Loss

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With both their main players power forward Kevin Love and Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio out due to their respective injuries, the TWolves relied on head coach Rick Adelman’s leadership off-court and their deep bench to get early season wins until their top dogs return to the court sometime in December. But despite of a growing injury list and a rather patched lineup, the Twolves managed to do the difficult task.

The short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the home team Dallas Mavericks on Monday wherein the final score stood at 90-82. Nikola Pekovic is the leading scorer for the TWolves after he put in 20 points, despite being pulled out late in the third quarter due to a sprained ankle. Pekovic did not return to the court, which means another man down to the Wolves team that has already been suffering from one injury to another.

Only ten players suited up for the TWolves, including the injured Pekovic. But even with a depleted lineup, Minnesota’s defense has been consistent all season long, which helped them to fend off the Mavs’ rally. The team’s defense has been so brilliant that they are among the top 5 defensive teams in the NBA so far.

As proof of the Wolves’ great defense, the Dallas Mavericks shot the lowest field goal percentage this season at a lowly 36.3 percent. Since the first 3 minutes of the game, the Mavs had been trailing the Wolves until the latter eventually went away with the win on the road.

Image: sports.yahoo.com

According to Andrei Kirilenko, forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves, this can be attributed to the team’s “character”. He said, “nobody really looks down and nobody feels sorry. Everybody just keeps coming out and trying to give their best.”

Chase Budinger is scheduled to undergo operation on his torn lateral meniscus, which he injured last Saturday after filling for an injured Brandon Roy. Speaking of Roy, the game against Dallas was the second game he missed due to a sore right knee. With Barea also missing the third game this season due to a left foot sprain, Pekovic’ recent injury further adds more chaos to the lineup that is already hampered with one injury after another.

But coach Adelman is not worried about the team’s campaign this season, noting that “hopefully [they] can get some guys back and maintain the same energy level [they] had [in this game].”

Aside from Nikola Pekovic, other players also stepped up for the TWolves. Luke Ridnour put in 15 points and added 8 assists to help his team’s cause. Meanwhile, reserve Dante Cunningham added 14 points in this game. This is only the fourth win for the TWolves in the last 23 meetings with the Mavs.

Ricky Rubio Injury Update, T-Wolves Plagued with Injury Woes

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In a March game against Los Angeles Lakers, sensational Spanish rookie Ricky Rubio collided with LA guard Kobe Bryant and injured his knee in the process. Since then, he has had surgery on his knee for a torn ACL but since then Rubio hasn’t suited up to play for the Timberwolves just yet. With the start of the 2012-2013 NBA season, his fans and that of the T-Wolves are looking forward to his return and there has been some positive news about his impending return into the lineup.

According to the Twolves guard, he does not want to rush his return and wants to make sure his knees are fully recovered before he goes back to play. Rubio recently talked to reporters at Target Center, who are eager to know how far along into his injury recovery he might be in.

According to Rubio, it might be “December, but it could be January”. The Spanish baller further adds, “I don’t want to say a time because I don’t want to rush it. I want to be ready when I am ready.”

It is clear that Rubio is taking his time to ensure that his knee is fully recovered instead of being pressured into coming back into the game. But he’s got good news for fans, though, wherein he said that “[now] I start running and I feel good. In three, four weeks, I’m gonna start agility…”

Rubio’s return is much anticipated, along with his teammate Kevin Love. The US national player and power forward for the Timberwolves broke his right hand during practice. Like Rubio, reports claim that Love should be able to make his return on December. Expert insiders, though, reiterate that these injuries should not greatly affect the team with its restructured roster during the off-season wherein they acquired Andre Kirilenko and Brandon Roy.