Video: Ricky Rubio suffers "left knee injury" defending Kobe Bryant
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio suffered a "left knee injury" while defending Los Angeles Lakers All-Star guard Kobe Bryant during the fourth quarter of a Friday night game and had to be helped off the court.
NBA.com reported after the game that the Timberwolves said a further evaluation was coming on Saturday, with no specific details given.
Yahoo Sports reported later Friday that Rubio's knee injury could be serious.
The injury occurred with a little more than one minute remaining in the game, as Rubio attempted to apply a double-team to pressure the ball out of Bryant's hands. Rubio's left leg appeared to give way or buckle while he jump stopped; Bryant then attempted to dribble around Rubio and the two appeared to make slight contact. Rubio immediately went to the ground in pain.
Rubio, 21, is averaging 10.5 points, 8.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals for the Timberwolves during his rookie season. He has been a leading candidate for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award all year.
The Lakers went on to get the road win at the Target Center, 105-102. Rubio finished with 15 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block in 39 minutes of action.
Here's video of Ricky Rubio's left knee injury. Further updates when they become available.
NBA.com reported after the game that the Timberwolves said a further evaluation was coming on Saturday, with no specific details given.
Yahoo Sports reported later Friday that Rubio's knee injury could be serious.
Minnesota Timberwolves rookie point guard Ricky Rubio will have an MRI on his left knee Saturday morning amid fears he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, a league source told Yahoo! Sports.If an MRI finds a torn ACL, that would obviously be a season-ending injury.
“Possible ACL,” the source briefed on Rubio's condition said. “We'll know more after the MRI. … There's a lot of worry right now.”
The injury occurred with a little more than one minute remaining in the game, as Rubio attempted to apply a double-team to pressure the ball out of Bryant's hands. Rubio's left leg appeared to give way or buckle while he jump stopped; Bryant then attempted to dribble around Rubio and the two appeared to make slight contact. Rubio immediately went to the ground in pain.
Rubio, 21, is averaging 10.5 points, 8.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals for the Timberwolves during his rookie season. He has been a leading candidate for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award all year.
The Lakers went on to get the road win at the Target Center, 105-102. Rubio finished with 15 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block in 39 minutes of action.
Here's video of Ricky Rubio's left knee injury. Further updates when they become available.
