National Basketball Association

Report: Ricky Rubio might miss the Timberwolves' first preseason game

Published Oct. 6, 2015 10:13 a.m. ET

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Ricky Rubio has had his fair share of injury issues since he came over to the NBA in 2011. Aside from running out in all 82 games during 2013-14, Rubio has had injury effects during three of his four seasons.

He played in just 41 as a rookie, 57 in his second year and a mere 22 last season. Now, he's starting his fifth year (and fifth preseason) on the wrong foot—or the wrong quad.

From Marcus R. Fuller of the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

Wolves interim coach Sam Mitchell said it's possible Rubio will miss Wednesday's exhibition opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center.

Rubio missed the past couple of days of practice because of a quadriceps injury.

"Regular season if he felt like he could go that's something we would talk about," Mitchell said. "It just doesn't make sense this early in preseason. Our goal is to have the guys healthy to start the season."

This is just preseason, so there's no need to be alarmed, yet. Teams should (and do) play it safe during the exhibition games. There's no reason to get someone hurt or further a preexisting injury if the games don't even matter. But as someone who's had consistent injury issues throughout his career, maybe we should have a little more concern for the almost 25-year-old Rubio, especially considering the health problems we've seen with others on this roster.