Ricky Rubio set to return for Timberwolves

Ricky Rubio set to return for Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves, owner of an NBA-worst 8-39 win-loss record, are set to welcome exciting, flashy point guard Ricky Rubio back into the mix. They won’t suddenly become a winning team — that’s not in the cards this season — but Rubio at the very least makes them a more fun squad. Here’s the Minneapolis Star Tribune reporting:

Ricky Rubio set to return for Timberwolves

Only four days a Timberwolf, newly signed Lorenzo Brown played all but five seconds during Saturday’s crackling 106-90 loss to Cleveland because the Wolves had not another single healthy point guard available, not even emergency backup Robbie Hummel.

By the time they play at Dallas on Monday, the Wolves could have three, possibly four ready to play at least some minutes at that position.

That includes, of course, Ricky Rubio.

He’s aiming to make his return after missing 42 games and nearly three months because of a severely sprained ankle that damaged muscle and bruised bone.

Wolves coach Flip Saunders said after Saturday’s game he’s hopeful both Rubio and veteran Mo Williams, out the past three games because of a hip he injured in Atlanta more than a week ago, can play some minutes to spell Brown, who has played 95 minutes in three games since the team signed him on Wednesday out of the D League.

Cleanthony Early wraps up brief D-League trip

Cleanthony Early wraps up brief D-League trip

cleanthony early trip to d-league

New York Knicks rookie forward Cleanthony Early’s trip to the D-League was brief and successful.

Knicks President Phil Jackson announced this morning that the team recalled forward Early from the Westchester Knicks.

Early, 6-8, 220-pounds, made his D-League debut on Friday and Saturday nights, against the Sioux Falls Skyforce at the historic Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY, to average 18.5 points and 11.0 rebounds in 45.2 minutes. He was in uniform for today’s afternoon game versus the Los Angeles Lakers, though Knicks head coach Derek Fisher did not play him.

Dwight Howard knee issue may keep him out for extended period

The 33-15 Houston Rockets face a troubling injury situation, according to this ESPN.com report:

Dwight Howard knee issue may keep him out for extended period

The Houston Rockets are bracing for the loss of Dwight Howard for at least a month due to persistent trouble with his right knee, according to league sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Rockets, while confident that Howard ‎has enough time to bounce back for the regular-season stretch run and playoffs, fear their defensive anchor will be lost for a period of “weeks” as opposed to days.

Howard is still in the process of getting additional consultation from various doctors to determine the best treatment course for the knee.