Rubio set to return to action
“Ricky being Ricky.”
That’s what Mikal Bridges is looking forward to seeing from his starting point guard as Ricky Rubio is expected to play in Phoenix’s second scrimmage Sunday against Boston at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex’s Visa Athletic Center at 10:30 a.m.
“Just facilitating, running the offense,” Bridges said after Saturday’s practice. “Being that vocal leader.”
Rubio didn’t see action in Thursday’s 101-88 scrimmage win over his former team, Utah, after arriving in Florida last weekend following a bout with COVID-19.
“He should play,” Suns coach Monty Williams said after Saturday’s practice. “He had a good practice (Saturday). It was probably smart to hold him out. We don’t want guys playing when they’re not comfortable, we’re not comfortable. We’ve been doing unbelievably hard in our practice. I’m looking forward to seeing him on the floor.”
After clearing quarantine, Rubio only had two practices with the Suns before Thursday’s scrimmage against the Jazz at HP Field House. The Suns had a pool workout Friday and resumed practice Saturday.
On Sunday, Rubio will take the floor for the first time in the NBA restart. The second scrimmage will have the usual 12-minute quarters after having 10-minute quarters for the first one.
“Wish he out there that last game with everybody,” Bridges said. “We stepped up and we played well, but it’s good to have him back. He finds me on my back cuts (smiling) probably the most. So I’m happy he’s here for me, selfishly, but as a team, he’s so good with the ball and his voice defensively and everything just helps everybody else out.”
The Suns have been without center Aron Baynes, who has tested positive for COVID-19, Elie Okobo and rookie Jalen Lecque. The Suns announced earlier in the week Okobo and Lecque are out for “personal reasons” and they expect all three will join the team “at a later date.”
The Arizona Republic reported a third Suns player has tested positive for the virus.
However, Phoenix will once again have its starting point guard who is third in the NBA in assists at 8.9 a game.
“It’s awesome,” said rookie Ty Jerome, who got the start at point guard in Phoenix’s first scrimmage Thursday.