Cavs' Ricky Rubio eyeing return to court on Thursday

After a full year of rehabilitating an ACL tear in his leftknee, Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio is targeting a return against theTrail Blazers on Thursday, our Spencer Davies confirmed thisafternoon.

Ricky Rubio will make his #Cavs return/season debut Thursday night in Portland “if allgoes well today,” league source confirms to @basketbllnews.ESPN/Woj first to report.

— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) January 11, 2023

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowskireported the news first.

Rubio was an integral part of the Cavaliers last season both asa veteran in the locker room and his play on the court before hetore in ACL in December 2021. The 32-year-old was averaging 13.1points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in his role as the team'ssixth man.

He adds a veteran presence to the Cavs backcourt alongside starsDonovan Mitchell and Darius Mitchell for a team that is 26-16 onthe season and in the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference.