The Cleveland Cavaliers received a huge blow this week when it was announced their starting point guard, Ricky Rubio of El Masnou, Spain, would be out for the year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Rubio suffered the injury on Tuesday in a 108-104 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
So far this season, Rubio had been an instrumental part of Cleveland’s lineup, mostly coming off the bench in a reserve role. However, in the game against the Pelicans, he was a starter for the eighth time this season. In 34 games, Rubio averaged 13.1 points per game, 6.6 assists per game, and 4.1 rebounds per game. Rubio’s 13.1 points per game matched a career-high as he also reached that total with the Utah Jazz in the 2017-18 season.
Rubio’s best game with the Cavaliers in 2021-22 came on November 7, when he had 37 points in a 126-109 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. On Tuesday, prior to the injury, Rubio was the best player on the court. He led both teams in points (27), rebounds (13), and assists (nine). Rubio’s 13 rebounds were a season high.
There is no doubt the Cleveland Cavaliers have been overachievers this season. No one expected Cleveland to be at 20 wins and 14 losses after their first 34 games. However, they find themselves in the mix in the Eastern Conference, as they are fifth in the East, and only four games back of the star-studded Brooklyn Nets.
It will now be interesting to see how the Cavaliers rebound from a loss to the Pelicans. It was only four days ago that everything was spectacular in Cleveland following a 144-99 win over the Toronto Raptors.
