SPORTS

Utah Jazz Notes: Ricky Rubio to work his way back gradually with team

Jan 22, 2019, 6:24 PM | Updated: Jan 23, 2019, 5:59 pm

Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio (3) points to a teammate after scoring against the Portland Trail Blaze...

Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio (3) points to a teammate after scoring against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of the game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. (Silas Walker, Deseret News)

(Silas Walker, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz have been incredibly thin at point guard in the month of January, but at least one player seems to be on the mend in Ricky Rubio. He made his return in the team’s loss to the Blazers Monday night.

Rubio had been out due to a strained hamstring he suffered during the Jazz’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks January 7th. Luckily the team’s schedule softened up a bit and Donovan Mitchell went bananas offensively as his squad won six straight before the loss Monday.

Even with Mitchell’s success at the point guard spot, the team is happy to have its starting point guard back.

“He came in and competed,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “It’s good to have him back; you can feel his presence in the game. He defended. He played the game. He didn’t come in and try to do too much. He just let the game come to him and he was rewarded for that.”

Rubio was on a minutes restriction against the Blazers. He played almost 14 minutes in his return. He had 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting and dished out two assists. He was also one of three Jazzmen to have a positive plus-minus in the loss. He did have four turnovers in his short stint though.

“It felt good,” Rubio said of his return. “The beginning was a little rusty and I was forcing too much. Felt good overall. Happy to be back.”

Jazz play next at home Wednesday as they host the Denver Nuggets with tip-off set for 8:30 P.M.

Ricky Rubio meows in new commercial

Yeah you read that right. Vivint Smart Home released two new commercials with a few different Jazz players. One featured Donovan Mitchell on his phone watching a cat video. Rudy asks him about it and Mitchell clumsily denies being a cat person.

Ricky Rubio, overhearing the conversation, had just one word: Meow!

One Jazz fan seem to have an idea of how to put Rubio’s audio to use.

The other commercial also involves the Jazz center who has Jae Crowder over at Gobert’s home. The big man seems to have a shrine of self-portraits because “there’s no better defense than many Rudies”.

Kyle Korver makes debut in Shaqtin’ a Fool

Jazz shooting specialist, Kyle Korver, seems to have so much respect for Blazers guard Damian Lillard he figured a shot from Lillard went in, despite not seeing that he in fact airballed it.

Korver says he got so focused on boxing out Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic, he didn’t see if it went in or not. Figuring Lillard had made it, he took the ball out of bounds to inbound it.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Sports

Utah Jazz Collin Sexton...

Ben Anderson

Jazz 3-18 Since Trade Deadline After Loss To Spurs

At 3-18 since the trade deadline, the Jazz now sit behind the 4-19 Portland Trail Blazers as the league’s worst team since February 8.

22 hours ago

Utah Utes players circle up before the women’s college basketball game against Weber State Univer...

Aimee Cobabe and Emma Keddington

FBI now involved in Utah Women’s Basketball racism investigation

Police in Idaho are working with the FBI to investigate an incident where racial slurs were yelled at the Utah Women's basketball team.

2 days ago

Utah Utes guard Ines Vieira (2) shoots the ball with Colorado Buffaloes guard Frida Formann (3) jum...

MICHELLE BODKIN

Utah women’s basketball team forced to move hotels after racial hate crimes during NCAA Tournament

The NCAA Tournament was supposed to be a fun experience for the University of Utah women's basketball team.

3 days ago

Attendees climb at the grand opening of an outdoor climbing wall outside of Millcreek City Hall on ...

Collin Leonard, KSL.com

Olympian and hopefuls break in Utah’s biggest outdoor climbing wall at Millcreek City Hall

The Millcreek City Hall opened a brand new climbing wall on Saturday. It's the tallest outdoor wall in Utah.

4 days ago

All smiles at the NCAA Tournament. on March 20, 2024....

MItch Harper

LISTEN: The vibe in Omaha ahead of BYU’s Dance debut

On Wednesday, BYU basketball completed its one open practice of the NCAA Tournament at the CHI Health Center.

8 days ago

BYU regularly has honored the "no Sunday" play rule in each tournament it's played in, but it's bei...

Mitch Harper

NCAA committee dropped BYU down to no. 6 seed because of ‘no Sunday’ rule

BYU basketball was the highest-rated 5-seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, yet they ended up with a 6-seed because the "no Sunday" rule.

11 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Utah Jazz Notes: Ricky Rubio to work his way back gradually with team