Spanish Ricky Rubio Returned this Thursday to compete more than a year after he tore the cruciate ligament in his left knee, and he did it with 9 points in 10 minutes. Cleveland Cavalry in the field Portland Trail Blazers (119-113). Rubio contributed 9 points with 2 4-pointers, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in 10:27 minutes on the pitch at the Moda Center in Portland, leaving behind class and confidence details in his first game since his serious injury on December 28. against the New Orleans Pelicans in 2021.

Noting that the comeback of the El Masnou quarterback will be gradual, coach JB Bickerstaff gave way to him in the first, second and third quarters, while he left him on the bench in order not to force it in the fourth segment. And the Cavaliers had a big win in their fourth of five away games against Cleveland, but to do so they had to put in tremendous physical and mental effort against Damian Lillard’s 50 point. The Blazers leader had 5 3-pointers and was a constant threat to the Cavs, but a great group performance with the Cavs’ four players over 17 points rewarded the visitors. Donovan Mitchell had a double-double with 26 points, Jarrett Allen had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Darius Garland had 20 points and 10 assists and Evan Mobley had 17 points.

Ricky’s return

3.38 minutes into the first quarter and JB Bickerstaff called Rubio and gave way to the runway. The Spaniard entered with 20-25 at the light and supplied the electricity from the very first moment. Only Evan Mobley and Lamar Stevens suffered some massive blocks that prevented him from tying his first assist a few seconds later. His first point came from the free-throw line in the first quarter, and already in the second period, with the Blazers leading 46-33, he supported two points on the board with a good fight. Minutes were carefully managed, but Rubio competed with ease and without fear of contact.

Lillard, 50 points

The Cavaliers managed to come back to the locker room by seven points (58-51), an almost win that is considered an incredible halftime with Lillard’s 25 points and pure class play. With an average of 27 points per game this season, the ‘0’ of the Blazers have already touched thirty with 9.16 to play in the third period when they tied their night’s fourth trio 68-61.

Rubio deals damage from the arc

The Cavaliers did not lose their minds and had the virtue of staying in the game mentally. Rubio, who scored two threes in a row from corners, increased the score to 70-74 and 77-82. The Blazers’ attack was a monologue from Lillard, who posted 10 more points in the third quarter, but Mitchell brought the Cavs 85-87 with two straight 3-pointers.

Mitchell completes his comeback

Cavs were growing and dealing triple damage. It was Okoro from the 3-row who restored the tie in 97-97 and Mitchell gave the visitors the first win of the night with another three (105-104). With an aggressive defense and six points in a row, the Cavs didn’t stop pressing the accelerator, forcing Chauncey Billups into a 119-115 timeout with less than ninety seconds to play. Succumbing to some Cavs, who boasted about his character and added the flair of a Rubio that gave his engines the class details and injections of confidence, the Blazers couldn’t stand up.