Ricky Rubio makes his season debut / News - Basketnews.com

Ricky Rubio made his season debut, scoring 9 points in 10 minutes in the Cavaliers win over the Trail Blazers.

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

After missing more than a year due to an ACL tear, Ricky Rubio made his return and the season debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Player of the Game EFF 32 Jarrett Allen Points 24 Accuracy 11-17 Rebounds 10 Assists 6

In a 119-113 win against the Portland Trail Blazers, Rubio played for 10 minutes, finishing the game with 9 points (1/1 2PT, 2/4 3PT, 1/2 FT), 3 rebounds, and 1 assist.

The 32-year-old tore his left anterior cruciate while driving to the basket at New Orleans on Dec. 28, 2021. He averaged 13.1 points and 6.6 assists in 34 games last season before getting hurt.

"I'm just being honest, I don't think I've ever been around a guy who has the spirit that Ricky has, that teammates just want to be around and be a part of. It's extremely unique," Cavaliers coach B.J. Bickerstaff said before the game. "There's not a selfish bone in his body, everything he does, he does just to help everybody else."

Rubio's 3-pointer got the Cavaliers within 74-70 midway through the third quarter.Jerami Grantanswered with a 3 for the Blazers.

Another Rubio 3-pointer closed the gap to 82-77 as the Cavs kept the margin at single digits.

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