Ricky Rubio returns from ACL surgery in Cavaliers' win over Blazers

The Spanish point guard's long-awaited return helped Cleveland rally to beat Portland.

The Associated Press

January 13, 2023 7:36 AM

Ricky Rubio dribbles the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 12, 2023.

Ricky Rubio played in his first game since a knee injury more than a year ago and the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 119-113 on Thursday night.

The Cavaliers had listed him as questionable on the pregame injury report, but he came in off the bench with 3:38 left in the first quarter.

Rubio finished with nine points in 10 minutes — including two 3-pointers in the third quarter. The 32-year-old tore his left anterior cruciate while driving to the basket at New Orleans on Dec. 28, 2021.

Ricky Rubio with his first bucket of the season!

Welcome back, @rickyrubio9 🙌 pic.twitter.com/95Zx4AIGWO

— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2023

Rubio’s 3-pointer got the Cavaliers within 74-70 midway through the third quarter. Jerami Grant answered with a 3 for the Blazers.

Another Rubio 3-pointer closed the gap to 82-77 as the Cavs kept the margin at single digits.

“Today there was a lot of emotions out there,” Rubio said. “I’ve been working hard all year just to be healthy so I’m grateful to be out there playing basketball.”