The Cleveland Cavaliers have reached a buyout agreement with guard Ricky Rubio, the team announced on Thursday.
Rubio, 33, has been away from the team since the start of the 2023-24 season after he walked away from the team due to mental health issues over the summer.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, if Rubio plays professionally again, it will likely be in his native Spain.
“Ricky Rubio embodied everything a franchise would want from such an accomplished player, who helped instill a confidence and leadership quality that still resonates within our team,” said Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman in a press release. “When you measure his impact, particularly during the 2021-22 season, Ricky was instrumental in our 22-win improvement that year. His willingness to mentor our younger players speaks to the gravity of his tenure in Cleveland and the success we are having with this current Cavaliers group. We wish Ricky nothing but the best and remain supportive of his decision to continue focusing on his mental health.”
Rubio posted this statement on X about stepping away from the NBA:
Originally drafted by the Timberwolves with the fifth overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, the 12-year NBA veteran was a 2012 NBA All-Rookie First-Team selection.
A longtime member of the Spanish National Team, Rubio has played in three Olympics (2020, 2016, 2008), winning silver in 2008 and bronze in 2016. He also led Spain to a gold medal in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
In two seasons with the Cavaliers (2021-22, 2022-23), Rubio appeared in 67 games (10 starts) with averages of 9.2 points, 5.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 22.9 minutes.
During the 2021-22, his best in Cleveland, Rubio appeared in 34 games (eight starts) with a career-high tying average of 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.44 steals in 28.5 minutes before missing the final 48 games with a season-ending ACL tear.
Before the injury, Rubio became one of 12 active NBA players to record 5,000 career assists.
Rubio was traded to Indiana on February 7, 2022, after his injury in a deal that brought Caris LeVert to Cleveland, but he did not appear in a game for the Pacers.
He resigned with the Cavaliers as a free agent on July 7, 2022, and appeared in 33 games during the 2022-23 season, making his season debut on January 12 at Portland, where he chipped in nine points and three rebounds in 10 minutes off the bench. It was his first game back since suffering the ACL injury on December 28, 2021, at New Orleans.
Rubio has appeared in 698 games (603 starts) with Minnesota, Utah, Phoenix, and Cleveland, holding career averages of 10.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.76 steals in 29.6 minutes. He currently has the 10th-most assists among active NBA players (5,160) and has also averaged more than 6.0 assists and at least 1.30 steals in 10 of his 12 NBA seasons.
Without Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs(18-13) seemingly had no shot to beat the Mavericks(18-13) in Dallas on Wednesday night, but in the game of basketball, anything can happen.
One thing that happened was Jarrett Allen. He was special against the Mavericks. Allen had 24 points (9-17 FG, 6-6 FT), a season-high 23 rebounds, six assists and two steals. With 24 points and 23 rebounds, Allen garnered his fourth career 20-20 game and second as a Cavalier.
Another person who stepped up was Caris LeVert, who scored a team-high 29 points off the bench. After trailing by as many as 20 points in the first half, Cleveland, who trailed 101-91 with just over seven minutes to go, closed the game on a 22-9 run, including a 15-0 spurt, to defeat the Mavs 113-110.
Allen and LeVert weren’t the only two to step up. Isaac Okoro had a season-high 22 points, and Georges Niang added a season-high 16 points off the bench, and Craig Porter Jr. had nine points and a career-high 12 rebounds.
“Guts, plain and simple,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said about the win. “It was the ability to dig down and go somewhere when things weren’t going your way. We were struggling defensively in the first half, but collectively we went out and just found a way. You don’t do that without heart, courage, and fortitude.”
The Cavs, who outrebounded the Mavs by 20, trailed by 15 points at halftime, but despite the deficit, Allen knew Cleveland had what it took to get back into the game.
“We knew we could come back in the game,” Allen said. “I know, before the half, we cut it to six at one point. I don’t think if that was after or before, but we just used that momentum to carry us through the game.”
LeVert said the comeback was about getting stops on the defensive end.
“Try to get a stop,” he said. “I think we were scoring pretty decently. We were getting great shots, though we weren’t knocking down at the rate we knew we could. It was just about getting stops, and I think we finally did that in the second half. I think we held them under 25 [points] both the third and fourth quarter, and that was huge for us.”
Dallas had one last chance to tie the game, but LeVert and Allen double-teamed Luka Doncic, which led to Doncic passing it off to Seth Curry, whose shot was partially blocked by Max Strus. LeVert explained what the Cavs did defensively on the final play.
“Yeah, we obviously knew that Luka thrives in those types of moments,” LeVert said. “We tried to make it tough for him. J [Jarrett Allen] did a great job of trapping him, and then Max [Strus] did a great job of contesting that Seth Curry jump shot.”
The Mavs had five players in double figures, led by Doncic’s game-high 39 points, who was not happy with how the team performed in the fourth.
“We played bad,” he said. “We missed a lot of good shots – that was on me in the fourth quarter.”
Dallas’ two-game winning streak was snapped with the loss, while the Cavs have now won two straight.
The Mavericks battle the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Thursday night; Cleveland returns Friday night when they host the Bucks at home.
Photo: Cavs/X
On Thursday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost their third straight as they fell to the Celtics 116-107 in Boston.
In that game, Darius Garland ran into Kristaps Porzingis in the third quarter and was on the floor with blood coming from his mouth. He left for a short period and would return. However, on Friday, the Cavs got some bad news on Garland.
The Cavs announced that Garland sustained a fractured jaw.
According to the team, a CT scan administered this morning in Cleveland confirmed the injury. Garland will have a procedure to heal the affected area and will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks.
This season, Garland is averaging 20.7 points and 5.9 assists per contest.
The Cavs also announced that forward/center Evan Mobley will have arthroscopic left knee surgery on Monday, December 18, to remove a loose body.
According to the team, recent imaging and a series of treatments and rehabilitation confirmed that surgery was the best option to alleviate the discomfort in the knee. Mobley has missed the Cavaliers previous four games and is expected to be out approximately six to eight weeks.
Mobley is averaging 16.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest.
Currently, Cleveland is 13-12 and is the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference. Without two of their top players, this team could struggle. The East is very competitive, so with no Garland for at least four weeks and no Mobley for possibly eight weeks, Cleveland could take a dip in the standings.
The Cleveland Cavaliers (4-5) continued their four-game road trip in San Francisco against the Warriors on Saturday night.
Cleveland, who lost the first game on this trip when they fell to the OKC Thunder on Wednesday night, were looking to defeat the Warriors (6-4) for the second time this season.
Mission accomplished!
The Cavs used a big second and fourth quarter to defeat the Warriors 118-110 and get their first win at Chase Center.
Here’s the Great, Not So Great, and the Botton Line of the Cavs’ win over Golden State.
Great:
Caris LeVert: After scoring 29 points against the Thunder, LeVert had another strong game off the bench. He had 10 of his 22 points in the second quarter; LeVert added five rebounds and four steals. He has given the Cavs instant offense off the bench in the first nine games of the season and was big on Saturday night.
Everybody else: The Cavs had six players in double figures against the Warriors:
Donovan Mitchell added 21 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Darius Garland chipped in with 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, and five steals.
Evan Mobley had 19 points and five rebounds.
Max Strus scored 16 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and had four assists.
Jarrett Allen had 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Second Quarter: Cleveland trailed 31-30 at the end of the first quarter, but they stepped it up in the second quarter. Midway through the quarter, the Cavs went on a 10-2 run to lead 52-40. Cleveland had its largest of the game at 64-47 in the second. They finished the quarter shooting 54% from the field and 54% from deep. They outscored Golden State 38-21 and led 68-52 at halftime.
Fourth Quarter: The Cavs struggled in the third, and they only led the Warriors by one heading into the fourth quarter. Golden State went on a run once Draymond Green got ejected after getting his second technical for shoving Mitchell in the third.
However, Cleveland settled things down in the fourth. Dean Wade started the quarter with back-to-back threes, and they went on a 26-11 run to take a 16-point lead, and they never looked back.
Defense: The Cavs forced 20 turnovers, which led to 32 points. In addition, Cleveland held the Warriors to 41% from the field.
Not So Great:
You can find some things for sure: Cleveland was outrebounded 55-45, but we’ll pass on it today.
Bottom Line:
This is a quality win for the Cavs. They beat the Warriors twice in less than seven days, which is impressive. In addition, they are getting the job done on the road(3-2). Furthermore, it was good to see Mitchell show some fight and intensity when battled with Green; he didn’t back down, and the Cavs did not back down.
What’s Next:
Cleveland continues their four-game road trip in Sacramento against the Kings.
Best of the Rest:
Steph Curry led the Warriors with a game-high 30 points. Klay Thompson added 14, and Kevon Looney had two points and 13 rebounds.
The Cavs swept the regular season series over GSW (2-0) for the first time since 2009-10.
The Cavs finished the second half of back-to-back home games on Saturday night against the Indiana Pacers.
Cleveland, who fell to the Thunder on Friday, did not have its starting backcourt as Donovan Mitchell(hamstring) joined Darius Garland(hamstring) in street clothes. In addition, Jarrett Allen missed his third staright game.
The undermanned Cavs battled in this one, but they did not have enough and would fall to the Pacers 125-113.
Here’s the Great, Not So Great, and the Bottom Line of the Cavs’ loss to the Pacers.
Great:
Evan Mobley was a beast on Saturday night. He had 33 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks; it was the first 30-10 game of his career. With the Cavs shorthanded, Mobley got more touches and delivered.
Caris LeVert got the start, and he delivered. He scored 22 of his 31 points(12/28 FG, 4/10 3-Point FG) in the first quarter. LeVert was a man on a mission in the first quarter. He was 9/12 from the field, which included four threes.
Max Strus struggled a little with his shot(7/20 FG. 4/9 3-Point FG), but he did record a double-double as he added 11 rebounds and six assists. This was Strus’ second double-double in three games.
Not So Great:
Second Quarter: Cleveland led 37-31 at the end of the first quarter, but they went ice cold in the second quarter. Indiana started the quarter on a 15-3 run and took control. The Cavs shot 19% in the second, and they trailed 60-49 at halftime. Cleveland would never have a lead after the second quarter.
Second-Fourth Quarter LeVert: After scoring 22 points in the first quarter, Levert shot 3/16 from the field and scored only nine points the rest of the way. Maybe he ran out of gas, but he struggled after the first.
Bottom Line
Cleveland cut the lead to two on two occasions in the fourth, but they did not have enough to get over the top. It’s hard to win with Mitchell, Garland, and Allen in street clothes, so this loss was expected. Give credit to the players for fighting to the end.
What’s Next:
The Cavs finish their three-game homestand against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.
Best of the Rest:
Aaron Nesmith led the way for the Pacers with 28 points off the bench. Tyrese Haliburton had 21 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists, and Myles Turner added 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Isaac Okoro added 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists for the Cavs.
The Cleveland Cavaliers(1-1) had their home opener on Friday night as they hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder(2-0).
In this contest, Cleveland was again with starting center Jarrett Allen(ankle), and he was joined by starting point guard Darius Garland(hamstring).
OKC would lead most of the game, but the Cavs would take over late. Unfortunately, Cleveland would fall apart down the stretch and fall to the Thunder 108-105.
Here’s the Great, Not So Great, and the Bottom Line of the Cavs’ loss to OKC.
Great:
Donovan Mitchell was once again big-time for Cavs, as he had game-high 43 points(15/27 FG, 4/11 3-point FG), including 14 points in the fourth quarter. He also added eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Mitchell was rolling in the fourth and Cleveland had their largest lead of 10 point in that quarter.
Evan Mobley got the start at center, and recorded his first double-double of the season with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks.
Third Quarter: Cleveland trailed 52-42 at halftime, and they trailed 58-48 with just over nine minutes left in the third, but Cleveland turned things around and went on a 14-4 run to take their first lead since the second quarter. Caris LeVert scored 12 of his 17 points in the quarter, and Mitchell also had 12. However, the Cavs trailed 79-75 heading into the fourth.
Not So Great:
Shooting: Cleveland shot only 41% from the field, including 27%(12/45) from deep. Without Garland and Allen, these numbers are not surprising.
Final 2:37 of the Game: The Cavs led 100-90 with 2:37 left in the fourth; however, the Cavs could not seal the deal. The Thunder outscored the Cavs 18-5 the rest of the way. Chet Holmgren’s three with just over a minute to go tied the game at 102, and OKC would take the lead for good on a driving layup from Lu Dort with 28.6 seconds left.
With Cleveland trailing 105-102, they had one last chance to tie, but Mitchell would have a costly turnover, which led to a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander steal.
Bottom Line:
The Cavs stole a game from the Nets in the season opener, and the Thunder took it right back in the home opener. Cleveland should have won this game for sure. This game was winnable on all levels. However, again, the Cavs could not close the show.
What’s Next:
Cleveland plays the second half of a back-to-back as they host the Pacers on Saturday night.
Best of the Rest:
Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 34 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and five steals. Dort added 25 points and six rebounds.
Isaac Okoro added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Cavs; Dean Wade made his season debut and got the start; he added eight points, five rebounds, and two steals.
Bobby “Bingo” Smith, who was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 11, 1970 and played 10 seasons, and over 700 games with Cleveland, while helping shape and mold a young expansion team into a playoff contender, has passed away at age 77.
“This is an incredibly sad day for our Cavaliers family and we are deeply hurt relating to Bingo’s passing,” said Director of Alumni Relations and former Cavaliers teammate and friend, Campy Russell. “Bingo was one of the most gifted players to ever grace the Wine and Gold, and his impact on the court and throughout the community made a lasting impression on everyone that ever came into contact with him. He spent the majority of his life doing what he loved and his loyalty to the Cavaliers never wavered. As a Cavaliers ambassador, Bingo consistently devoted his time embracing fans and sharing a piece of his basketball journey long after his playing days were over. The thoughts and prayers of this organization and Cavaliers fans across Northeast Ohio are with the entire Smith family.”
Smith spent his rookie season in the NBA with the San Diego Rockets before being selected by the Cavaliers in the 1970 Expansion Draft. His patented ‘rainbow jumper’ became one of the bright spots through Cleveland’s early years. With each passing season, the versatile small forward remained a constant and consistent performer, leading the 1974-75 Cavaliers in scoring with an average of 15.9 points per game. The following season, Cleveland made the playoffs for the first time in a season that has become known as the “Miracle of Richfield”. With home-court advantage lost and the Cavaliers trailing in their first round series against the favored Washington Bullets, Smith helped Cleveland overcome the deficit. In Game 2, he scored a team-high 17 points and made the game-winning shot with just seconds remaining to secure the 80-79 victory. The win served as the first playoff victory for the franchise and propelled the Cavaliers past the Bullets and into the Eastern Conference Finals. Smith played four more seasons in Cleveland, helping guide the Cavaliers to the playoffs two more times before finishing his career with the San Diego Clippers.
“Bingo and I were teammates for almost a decade, and we experienced the full spectrum of emotions and successes here in Cleveland, while representing our beloved Cavaliers,” said Cavaliers television Color Analyst and Mr. Cavalier, Austin Carr. “From the early expansion years of the team, to our first-ever playoff experience and the Miracle season, Bingo was always a giving teammate and one of the most fierce competitors I ever played with. This is truly a sad moment in our franchise history and my heart goes out to his family.”
“We lost a great man,” said Cavaliers radio analyst and former teammate Jim Chones. “Praying for the Smith family and all their loved ones today, as we truly lost a brother, a teammate, a father and all-around great human being. His impact on the Cavaliers and so many of us that played with him will never be forgotten. My hearts goes out to all those he touched throughout his life. Rest in power Bingo.”
Smith’s enduring legacy shines through his presence in the franchise’s record books, where he maintains a place in the Top 10 all-time in six different categories: games played (4th), field goals made (3rd), field goals attempted (3rd), minutes played (5th) and points scored (6th). The Cavaliers retired his jersey on Dec. 4, 1979.
The Cleveland Cavaliers began the regular season in Brooklyn against the Nets.
Cleveland was without their starting center Jarrett Allen (ankle), but ultimately, they got the job done as they defeated the Nets 114-113 on Wednesday night.
The Cavs(1-0) led 114-113 late, and the Nets(0-1) had a chance to take the lead; however, Cam Thomas missed a three, and Cam Johnson missed the follow at the buzzer.
Here’s the Great, Not So Great, and the Bottom Line of the Cavs’ win over the Nets.
Great:
Max Strus made his Cavs’ debut and was big time. He had a team-high tying 27 points, including seven threes and 12 rebounds; this was Strus’ third double-double of his career. Last season, the small forward position was a mess for Cleveland, and Strus may have solved it.
Strus was big early, and Donovan Mitchell, who also had 27 points, was big late. With the Cavs trailing 111-105 with 1:24 left in the fourth, the game appeared over, but Mitchell changed that. He hit a pull-up jumper that closed the gap to four. After two free throws from Strus cut the lead to 111-109, Mitchell would get a steal and breakaway jam to tie the game at 111 with 41.4 seconds to go. Following two Mikal Bridges free throws that gave the Nets a 113-111 lead, Mitchell would drain a three with 12.7 seconds to go, and the Cavs would get the win. Mitchell also added five rebounds, six assists, and four steals.
Isaac Okoro got the start for Allen, and he delivered. He had 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Not So Great:
Rebounding: Cavs were outrebounded 50-37 by the Nets, which is expected without your leading rebounder Jarrett Allen.
Defense: Without your rim protector, Allen, Cleveland’s defense wasn’t great on Wednesday night. They allowed Brooklyn to shoot 50% from the field. Once Allen returns, the defense should be better.
Bottom Line:
Mitchell did what stars do down the stretch, make plays. Cleveland should have lost this game, but having a great player can help you steal games, and the Cavs stole this one from the Nets.
What’s Next:
Cleveland will have its home opener on Friday against the Thunder.
Best of the Rest:
Brooklyn’s Cam Thomas had a game-high 36 points in 25 minutes off the bench. Bridges added 20, and Ben Simmons had four points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.
The Cavs had six players in double figures, including all five staters. Garland added 15 points and five assists. Caris LeVert chipped in with 11 points off the bench.
Cleveland picked up their first win in a road season-opener since Oct. 31, 2000.
In the 2022-23 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers went 51-31 and were the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference; they made the playoffs for the first time since 2018. However, Cleveland was beaten up by the Knicks and lost their first-round series in five.
As they enter the 2023-24 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers, on paper, appear to be a deeper, better team than they were last season.
Last season, Cleveland struggled at the small forward position. It was like a revolving door that featured Lamar Stevens, Isaac Okoro, Caris LeVert, and Dean Wade. In the offseason, the Cavs hopefully stabilized that position when they acquired Max Strus in a sign-and-trade with the Heat. Strus signed a four-year, $63 million deal with the Cavs.
Strus played in 80 games (33 starts) for Miami this past regular season, averaging career highs in points (11.5), rebounds (3.2), assists (2.1), steals (0.53), free throw percentage (.876) and minutes (28.4). He connected on 197 three-pointers(21st in the NBA). The 27-year-old started in all 23 games during the Heat’s 2023 NBA Finals run, so he brings experience and much-needed shooting.
Also, they added more shooting when they signed Georges Niang. Last season with the 76ers, Niang appeared in a career-high 78 games (one start), averaging 8.2 points and 2.4 Rebounds in 19.4 minutes while shooting .401 (154-384) from the three-point line.
Of course, the Cavs will feature one of the best backcourts in basketball with four-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell(career-high 28.3 points per game) and Darius Garland(21.6 points & 7.8 assists per game). In addition, up-and-coming star Evan Mobley(16.2 points & 9.0 rebounds per game) and Jarrett Allen(14.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks per game) will anchor the frontline.
Coming off the bench, Niang, Caris LeVert, and Okoro will lead the way for Cleveland, and with Ricky Rubio away, Ty Jerome will get minutes at the backup point guard spot. Fan favorite Tristian Thompson is back, and he could play minutes at the power forward and center spots; Damian Jones will also give this team more depth at the center spot. Should be interesting to see what kind of role Dean Wade will have Cleveland this season. He struggled last season, but he’s another guy who could be called on if injuries mount for the Cavs.
Bottom Line:
Again, the Cavs should be better than they were a year ago. Last season, they got their first taste of the playoffs in a long time, and they played like a team that was new to the playoffs. That playoff series against the Knicks should serve them well this season, including their head coach, J.B. Bickerstaff.
With the uncertainty surrounding Mitchell(player option in 2025-26), the Cavs need to have a strong season, which includes at least winning one round for Mitchell to want to stick around.
All that being said, the Bucks, Celtics, and 76ers still appear to be better teams, but Cleveland is pretty close. This team is a legitimate contender.
In the end, Cleveland will be 52-30 this season and will win a round in the playoffs. If not, Bickerstaff could be in trouble, but that’s a topic for another day.
Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen sustained a left ankle bone bruise in practice recently. An MRI at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health yesterday confirmed the injury, and he will begin a period of treatment and rehabilitation, the team announced Saturday.
According to the Cavs, Allen will be re-evaluated in two weeks, and his status will be updated as appropriate.
Last season, the 25-year-old averaged 14.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per contest.
The Cavs begin the preseason on Tuesday in Atlanta against the Hawks. The team starts the regular season on October 25 in Brooklyn against the Nets.
