Cavs lose veteran point guard Ricky Rubio for the season
Through the first couple of months of the 2021-22 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the league’s most surprising teams.
The Cavaliers suffered a massive hit after veteran point guard Ricky Rubio suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during Wednesday’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter after Rubio drove the lane to the basket and moved around Pelicans guard Devonte’ Graham, and slipped as he planted his right foot that led to his left leg becoming unstable.
Rubio was acquired by the Cavaliers over the offseason, and had become a key piece to the backcourt. He was averaging 13.1 points, 6.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals.
“Him and I have such a history,” Kevin Love said after ESPN. “I really care for him…We’re just completely gutted. He was having such a great season.”
The loss of Rubio is another massive hit as the team already is without Collin Sexton, who suffered a season-ending knee injury on Nov. 7. The Cavaliers are currently without guard Darius Garland due to being placed on the Health and Safety protocol list.
Garland has been putting together a career-best campaign as he’s averaging 19.5 points and 7.3 assists while shooting 47.9% from the floor and 37.4% from beyond the arc. He will assume a more prominent scoring role once he returns.
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Meanwhile, the team will need a stronger collective scoring production from Love, Jarrett Allen, rookie Evan Mobley, Cedi Osman, and Lauri Markkanen.
