After playing three games in Canada as part of the NBA’s 2015 Canada Series, the Minnesota Timberwolves finally got a practice in on their own floor on Friday afternoon.
Point guard Ricky Rubio practiced for the first time in 10 days. Rubio was being bothered by a right quad injury and he said after Friday’s back that everything was great, perhaps besides his conditioning.
“I felt tired, but that’s normal,” Rubio said. “Just got to pick up. Now we’ve got like 10 days before the first game.”
Rubio and the Wolves will practice again on Saturday before traveling to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday evening. Rubio said that if he feels good after tomorrow’s practice, he’ll give it a go on Sunday against the Grizzlies.
It’s getting down to crunch time for Rubio to play with the starting lineup with just three preseason games remaining before the regular season starts on Oct. 28.
“I can adapt very quick,” Rubio said. “A point guard, I got to know the personnel. I’ve been around since day one… I think everything’s going to be all right.”
Rubio hasn’t played in a live game since March 18 and played in just 22 games last season.
He did take part in Friday’s 5-on-5 scrimmage.
QUICK HITS
- Last week, Andre Miller had an excused absence from the team for two days. We found out why on Friday. Miller and the rest of the 1997-98 University of Utah basketball team was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. That team ended up 30-4 overall, advancing all the way to the championship game before falling to Kentucky: “It was kind of like a little reunion,” Miller said of the trip.
- Rookie point guard Tyus Jones is ahead of where many thought he’d be at this point in preseason. Yes, it’s only preseason, but Jones feels comfortable with where he’s at and the speed of the game: “I feel like I’m getting more comfortable and more accustomed each day,” Jones said. “Each game, I feel like I’m settling in a little bit more and making reads and things like that… Still have a lot of room for improvement.”
- The Wolves play the Grizzlies on Sunday at 5 p.m. The game will not be televised or aired on the radio. It will, however, be available on League Pass.