Spanish guard Ricky Rubio returned this Thursday to compete more than a year after tearing the ACL in his left knee, delivering 9 points in 10 minutes of action. He played for the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers, a 119-113 victory. Rubio finished with 9 points, two triples, three rebounds, and one assist in 10:27 on the floor at the Moda Center in Portland, leaving behind a confident and composed performance in his first game since the serious injury on December 28, 2021, against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The comeback of the former Barcelona and Spain national team standout will be gradual, Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff explained. Rubio was rotated in and out across the first three quarters, and he stayed on the bench in the fourth period to avoid overexertion. Cleveland earned a sizable win on the road, but it required immense physical and mental effort to counter a Portland team led by Damian Lillard, who poured in 50 points. Lillard connected on five three-pointers and posed a constant threat, yet the Cavaliers found balance with four players scoring 17 or more. Donovan Mitchell added 26 points and a double-double with 10 assists, Jarrett Allen contributed 24 points and 10 rebounds, Darius Garland had 20 points and 10 assists, and Evan Mobley chipped in 17 points for a well-rounded team effort.
Ricky’s return
Just 3:38 into the first quarter, Bickerstaff called Rubio into the game and handed him the reins. The Spaniard arrived with a spring in his step and instantly provided energy. Only Evan Mobley and Lamar Stevens produced notable blocks that momentarily prevented him from recording an assist shortly after. Rubio’s first point came from the free‑throw line in the opening period, and early in the second, with Portland up 46-33, he contributed two more points amid a determined defensive stance. Minutes were managed carefully, yet Rubio competed with ease and fearlessly challenged contact as the game unfolded.
Lillard, 50 points
Cleveland closed the first half with a seven-point deficit, 58-51, a remarkable display given Lillard’s 25 points and his poised, high-IQ play. Lillard’s scoring average this season was near 27 points per game, and he flirted with a higher tally as the third period began. He helped Portland stretch the lead to 68-61 with 9:16 left in the third before the Cavs found their rhythm again.
Rubio deals damage from the arc
The Cavaliers remained composed and kept themselves in the game mentally. Rubio knocked down back-to-back three-pointers from the corners, narrowing the gap to 70-74 and later to 77-82. Lillard continued to pace Portland with more scoring in the third, but Mitchell answered with a pair of three-pointers to keep Cleveland within striking distance, 85-87 heading into the fourth.
Mitchell completes his comeback
The Cavaliers gained traction and started to apply pressure on both ends. Isaac Okoro tied the game with a three from deep, making it 97-97, and Mitchell delivered the go-ahead shot with another three, giving Cleveland a 105-104 lead. The Cavaliers leaned on aggressive defense and a late burst of offense, forcing a timeout from Portland coach Chauncey Billups with under ninety seconds to play at 119-115. Cleveland maintained its edge as Rubio’s presence and experience helped elevate the team, while the Blazers could not sustain their late push.