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However, Rubio looked more like the guy who struggled Monday at Orlando than the one who impressed during his season debut Saturday against Dallas. He went scoreless again and had three assists, three rebounds, a steal and two turnovers. "He's trying too hard," Adelman said afterward. "I fully expected him to have problems. It's just nice having him on the court." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio 

Jerry Zgoda: Looks like Ricky's grimacing in pain after doing something on that knee just now Twitter @JerryZgoda

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio 

The Ricky Rubio-Kevin Love honeymoon continues. The Spanish guard said he has a great relationship with the All-Star forward during a conference call Tuesday in which he was asked about Love's comments to Yahoo! Sports last week. "Kevin said he loved me and that's huge coming from the star of the team," Rubio said. "From Day One and even before, he's been showing me a lot of affection. Now that we have spent a lot of time together dealing with injuries and talking about games, I've developed a very good relationship with him. We talked (about the article) and he told he indeed said some of the things that appeared there, but there were others that had been misinterpreted and that he liked me very much. It's an honor for me coming from him." HoopsHype

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Kevin Love 

"I don't know when I will be able to play back-to-backs," Rubio said. "It depends on how everything goes, we'll go game by game. It's not something we're planning in advance. Based on how I feel, that's how we will make decisions. There's no plan. It all depends on how the knee feels." HoopsHype

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Kevin Love 

The Wolves guard, who missed the Olympics last summer due to the injury, expressed desire to return to the Spanish National Team this offseason to defend the European Championship the squad conquered in 2009 and 2011. "I would like to play at the Eurobasket as long as I'm healthy, Rubio said. "I just came off a very tough injury and have to get in shape. If I'm feeling good from a physical standpoint, I'm available for the National Team as always. "I don't think there will be any problem with the Wolves. There's a lot of international players on this team and I'm sure many would like to join their National Teams. If I prove the knee is 100 percent healthy, there will be no problem. We'll talk about it when the time comes." HoopsHype

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Spain 

Wolves guard Ricky Rubio is not happy with the way the Lakers are treating fellow Spaniard Pau Gasol. "Pau Gasol has given the Lakers a lot and I don't feel he's getting enough in return, especially as far as confidence," Rubio said in a conference call earlier today. "But he's a pro. If he goes to another team, I think he would make a contender out of that team. Wherever he goes, he's going to be fighting for the title." Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Pau Gasol, Ricky Rubio 

The numbers seem to support Rubio's observations: no points on 0-for-3 shooting, no free-throw attempts, three turnovers, four assists and one steal in 16 minutes. Rubio fell far short of matching his output and drama of Saturday night -- when he had eight points, nine assists and three steals -- and it was tough for him to talk about it. "Today was harder," he said. "I didn't feel like the first game. I didn't feel good at all today. I have to break through these issues. It's been nine months for me without playing." St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio 

Brian Windhorst: Ricky Rubio told @Jerry Zgoda that he will play tonight in Orlando but not tomorrow in Miami as part of plan not to play back-to-backs Twitter @WindhorstESPN

Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, Ricky Rubio 

Jerry Zgoda: Ricky when asked if he's disappointed he won't play vs. LeBron and Heat on NBA TV. "Yes, of course," he said, "but you follow the rules." Twitter @JerryZgoda

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio 

During the Wolves' win over Dallas on Saturday night, Rubio tried to persuade Adelman and Farnam to let him play during the overtime, but that would have put him over his 18-minute allotment. "We're still going to be very diligent with this and see how he reacts," Adelman said. "He's had normal soreness like in training camp, but he's had no setbacks and nothing with his knee, which is a positive sign. We still have to watch him. We can't throw him out there and play him 30 minutes." St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio 

Rubio collected eight points, nine assists, four rebounds and three steals in only 18 minutes of action that trumpeted yet another successful return by a Twin Cities athlete post-ACL surgery. Move over, Adrian Peterson. You have company. "I love this game, I love playing basketball and I'm never going to forget how to play," Rubio said. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio 

"When he has the ball in his hands," Adelman joked, "I'm a much better coach." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio 

The fans' love affair with Rubio also reinforced that he's their most popular player. The Wolves sold 1,750 tickets in the few hours after they announced that Rubio would make his debut. He possesses that "it" factor that makes people stop and take notice and embrace him. "I can't say with words how [the support] feels," he said. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio 

Robby Incmikoski: The guy who helped Ricky get back on the court is a behind-the-scenes guy. Doesn't like attention. Best in business - Andre Deloya. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Injuries, Andre Deloya 

For the first time since March 9 of last year, Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio will don a jersey and play in an NBA game. He will play for the Wolves tonight against Dallas at Target Center. The team announced the news minutes ago. “I’m excited to get back on the floor with my teammates and play in front of the best fans in the NBA at Target Center,” Rubio said in a release sent out by the team. “After a long recovery, this is the first step in my getting back on the court and helping my teammates. Thank you to the fans for their support over the last nine months.’’ Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Injuries 

One thing Adelman stressed was that nobody should put unrealistic expectations on Rubio early in his return. “I think some people, they think that he’s going to come back and everything’s going to be OK,” he said. “You’ve got to give him some time to see where he’s at. He’d only played last year 40-some games. … I’m not putting any expectations on him. I want to see how he does when he plays. We certainly know if he plays the way he played last year, he can make a big difference in our team as far as getting us baskets and stuff. We’ll know when we watch him in games. We’ll know when he comes back the second day after a game, the third day. All those things, they’ll become clear. We do know that if he’s healthy enough to play and he’s playing, that he certainly can make a real positive addition to our team.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Injuries 

Ricky Rubio: When something bad happen u have 3 choices. U can either let it define you, let it destroy u, or U CAN LET IT STRENGTHEN YOU. Bona nit. Twitter @rickyrubio9

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Injuries 

Joan Nielsen: Ricky Rubio did not travel with the Timberwolves to New Orleans. Adelman suggested today it would be easier for him to work out in MN. Twitter @JoanNiesen

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Injuries 

Ray Richardson: No confirmation yet from Wolves, but ESPN 1500, citing a league source, says Rubio will play Sat vs. Dallas. Will know more later this morn Twitter @Twolvesnow

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Injuries 

It appears, as Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said Wednesday night, that the goal remains to have Ricky Rubio make his debut Saturday against Dallas at Target Center. Not that anybody is anywhere near to confirming that. After Thursday’s very light, no-contact practice, Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn, coach Rick Adelman and head athletic trainer Gregg Farnam met with Rubio courtside. But Adelman wasn’t revealing anything about that meeting. “It’s like I told you last night,” he said. “Just evaluating it every day, and we’ll see what comes, you know?” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Injuries