MINNEAPOLIS – Ricky Rubio will make his first start of the 2012-13 season Thursday against the Clippers.
Since returning on Dec. 15, the point guard has come off the bench for his first 10 games. He's been anxious for his minutes limit to be lifted, especially on the team's recent road trip, and after playing 26 minutes in Dallas Monday (two minutes more than his then-24 minute limit), he made a good enough impression to get that limit raised to 26-28 minutes.
Derrick Williams will join Rubio as a starter. It'll be the 10th start of Williams' season, and he'll replace Dante Cunningham. Rubio will start in Alexey Shved's place; the rookie guard has been increasingly overworked in recent games and missed Wednesday's practice with a minor illness. Shved will be available off the bench, as will Cunningham.
Follow Joan Niesen on Twitter.
