In the first round of the 2018 NBA playoffs, Ricky Rubio was playing perhaps the best basketball of his career. Despite Rubio just playing seven minutes in Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a hamstring injury, the Utah Jazz were able to close out the series as they prepare for the Houston Rockets.
According to Tony Jones of Salt Lake Tribune, Rubio is out for Game 1 against James Harden and the Rockets in the second round and could miss a few weeks with the hamstring injury:
League sources: Jazz PG Ricky Rubio is OUT for Game 1 against Houston, and could miss as much as a few weeks with a hamstring injury
— tribjazz (@tribjazz) April 28, 2018
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN later provided a return timetable and reports the 27-year-old could miss 10 days or fewer depending on rehabilitation:
Article Continues BelowWith an early estimation of 10 days on injury following MRI today, Jazz will be challenged to win against Houston without Rubio — who has been playing some of the best basketball of his career. https://t.co/oBcacpbfzx
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 28, 2018
This is unfortunate news for Rubio and the Jazz. In six appearances against the Thunder, the 27-year-old averaged 14.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in 30.2 minutes. This was highlighted by his Game 3 triple-double performance as he finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
With Rubio out for some time, head coach Quin Snyder face another obstacle against the Rockets, who finished with the league's best record. However, during the 2017-18 NBA season, Rudy Gobert missed significant time as Donovan Mitchell and company were able to win games in the highly competitive Western Conference.
Rubio averaged 13.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in 77 appearances.