Cavaliers point guard Ricky Rubio with miss the rest of the 2021-22 NBA season after tearing his ACL, the team announced Wednesday.
According to the Cavs, an MRI administered Wednesday revealed the injury.
The 31-year-old Rubio left Tuesday night’s road loss to the Pelicans late in the fourth quarter and did not return.
This is a massive loss for the Cavaliers. Rubio, who Cleveland acquired from Minnesota in the offseason, was averaging a career-high 13.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per contest off Cleveland’s bench. The 10-year veteran gave the Cavaliers great minutes this season.
The Cavaliers will need another point guard on this roster. At this point, Kevin Pangos would be the backup point guard, but that probably won’t be enough, and with Darius Garland out due to health and safety protocols, Pangos could be the starter going forward.
Cleveland returns to action Thursday night against the Washington Wizards.