Rubio Pratices with Team & May Play for the Timberwolves Saturday

Ricky Rubio may be back in action this weekend…

The 22-year-old Spanish basketball star worked out with his Minnesota Timberwolves teammates on Friday and is “very close” to returning from torn left knee ligaments that have sidelined him since March, according to the team’s coach Rick Adelman.

Ricky Rubio

Adelman believes Rubio might even be ready for Saturday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, saying team officials will discuss Rubio’s return before the start of the game.

The coach says medical staff who’ve been monitoring Rubio haven’t reported any problems with his rehabilitation so far, which Adelman describes as “very consistent.”

The next step, says Adelman, is “to get him in games and see how he reacts,” adding that if Rubio plays, the Timberwolves won’t be able to predict how many minutes they can give him at first.

Rubio averaged 10.6 points and 8.2 assists as a rookie last season.