Cavs’ Rubio set to make season debut

After a full year of rehabilitating a torn left ACL, Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio reportedly is targeting Thursday night against the Trail Blazers for his season debut. ESPN first reported the news. The 32-year-old backup point guard hasn’t experienced any setbacks in his lengthy recovery process. Rubio had been a vital part of the Cavs’ turnaround a year ago, averaging a career-best 13.1 points, 6.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds before suffering an ACL tear in late December 2021, and undergoing surgery in mid-January. With Rubio lost for the rest of the season, the Cavaliers traded him to the Pacers as part of a deadline deal for Caris LeVert. Rubio then re-signed with the Cavs as a free agent over the summer, inking a three-year, $18.4 million contract. According to reports, Rubio likely will play around 12 to 15 minutes in the early going and isn’t expected to participate in the second of back-to-back games until after the All-Star break. Rubio will be starting his 12th season, including stops with the Timberwolves, Jazz and Suns. He has averaged 11.1 points and 7.6 assists in his career.