On Wednesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced that Ricky Rubio had torn the ACL in his left knee, ending his 2021-2022 season.
Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio has suffered a season-ending ACL tear to his left knee, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 29, 2021
Rubio suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter against the Pelicans when he slipped and fell attempting to drive into the teeth of the New Orleans defense. Rubio walked off the floor with assistance after logging 27 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists in 37 minutes. Rubio tore the same knee ligament in his left knee as a rookie in the 2011-2012 season.
The Spanish guard has been a revelation in Cleveland, teaming up with Darius Garland to lead the Cavs to a 20-14 record. According to Matt Williams of ESPN, the Cavs have a +16.1 net efficiency when Rubio and Garland play together. This leads all two-man lineups that have played at least 500 minutes together.
Rubio averaged 13.1 points, 4.1 boards, and 6.6 dimes this season, tied for the most points he’s averaged in a season since the 2017-2018 season he played with the Utah Jazz.
The Cavs return to action on Thursday against the Wizards (17-17).
