Couldn't find the Rubio thread, so I am posting this Kelly Dwyer column from Yahoo on here for now. Feel free to move it, if necessary.
After an impressive 5-2 start without All-Star Kevin Love and various other injured rotation helpers, the Minnesota Timberwolves have lost five straight. Three of those five have even come with Love in the lineup, as he returned surprisingly early (to some medical reports, at least) after breaking his left hand during training camp last Wednesday. Every win counts, badly, in the Western conference — as just two and a half games separate the fourth and 13th spots in the playoff bracket after nearly a month of play.
Making this news go down a little easier is an aside from Timberwolves beat writer Jerry Zgoda, who pointed out that second year guard Ricky Rubio may return earlier than expected as well from his time spent on the shelf. Writing for the Star-Tribune, Zgoda points out that the expected Christmastime return of the Spanish guard from his ACL tear may be moved up a bit:
David Kahn said he still isn't putting a timetable on Rubio's return, as he hasn't done all along.
But there's no question Rubio's return is getting closer, maybe closer than expected, particularly if you weren't expecting him back until Christmas or later.
He's been working out quite vigorously on his own before games -- just saw him working up a sweat shooting and doing other drills -- and it's certainly possible he could be back in a game perhaps even sometime that first week of December, or shortly thereafter..
After watching Damian Lillard and Wes Matthews torch the Wolves Friday night in Portland, they could certainly use his defense.
Zgoda also mentions that an upcoming doctor's visit for Love in Vail, Colo. could result in the point guard being cleared for full-contract practice as early as this Thursday. That would put him back in an NBA practice, if not a game, eight months and three weeks following the tear that occurred on Mar. 9. It's important to note that this report is coming from the Star-Tribune's various sources and the observation from the writer, and not the team as an official statement, but Zgoda is a pro and doesn't let the speculation get out of hand.