National Basketball Association

Wolves' Rubio, Barea to miss preseason game

Published Dec. 20, 2011 11:32 p.m. ET

foxsports

Ricky Rubio and J.J. Barea will miss the Minnesota Timberwolves' preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday to rest minor injuries for the regular season.

Both guards did not practice on Monday or Tuesday for precautionary reasons and stayed behind in Minnesota when the team left for Milwaukee on Tuesday night.

Rubio has a sprained right ankle and Barea has a thigh bruise.

Coach Rick Adelman says neither injury is considered serious. And with a grueling regular-season schedule set to begin Dec. 26, the Timberwolves are playing it safe with two of their most important players.

Rubio tweeted on Tuesday evening that he will definitely be ready to play in the opener against the Thunder. Barea figures to be ready as well.