The Minnesota Timberwolves are sure to be without starting point guard Ricky Rubio at the beginning of the season, but it appears that the timetable for his return is moving up.
According to Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, Rubio's recovery is going extremely well. He could possibly come back in December rather than January, which is when his initial schedule had him returning.
As Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press writes, Taylor said on Tuesday that doctors like what they see in Rubio:
The doctors said he was progressing faster than normal, and normal was supposed to be in January. Faster than normal would be December. He's going to start running and stuff in a few weeks.
The Timberwolves are considered a sleeper pick to make noise in the Western Conference this season, with Rubio playing a big role in that. Luke Ridnour, J.J. Barea and Alexey Shved could see time at point guard during his absence, with Ridnour likely being the primary replacement.
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