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Utah Jazz: Ricky Rubio, Dante Exum injury updates

By Jared Woodcox

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 05: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz scramble for a loos ball during the first half at Smoothie King Center on February 5, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 05: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz scramble for a loos ball during the first half at Smoothie King Center on February 5, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Ricky Rubio went through practice today and is questionable for the Utah Jazz’s bout tomorrow, while Dante Exum is participating in non-contact portions of practice.

Without question, one of the most important factors in the Utah Jazz’s 11-game win streak leading up to the All-Star break was the suddenly sensational play of Ricky Rubio. Although the Jazz point guard had previously struggled to find his groove for much of the year, he seemingly turned it on following Utah’s disappointing loss to the Atlanta Hawks about a month ago and went on to string together several quality games that coincided with the Jazz winning streak.

Unfortunately, he ended up sitting out the last three games leading up to the break with hip soreness. Although the red hot Jazz still managed to win each of those contests, there were definitely moments where it was clear that they were missing the new and improved Ricky Rubio.

When he first went out, the assumption was largely that Rubio wouldn’t be sidelined long as he dealt with a purportedly minor hip issue. However, some disappointing news that I touched on yesterday seemed to indicate otherwise – Ricky Rubio didn’t go through practice on Wednesday as he was still receiving treatment for his hip.

That seemed to indicate that the injury was a little bit worse than minor and that his sitting out was more than just precautionary.

Thankfully, there’s now a bit of good news on that front which provides a rosier outlook on the injury. It was reported earlier today that Rubio did in fact participate in today’s (Thursday’s) practice and that he has been listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game. That’s far from a guaranteed sign that he’ll play, but it also means he shouldn’t be counted out.

The good news is that, according to both the Salt Lake Tribune’s Tony Jones and KSL’s Andy Larsen, Quin Snyder said that Rubio looked good in practice. It’s certainly progress that he was able to be a full participant today and if he feels good tomorrow and there’s a general consensus that playing won’t worsen the situation, you can bet that he’ll be rearing to suit up and hit the floor.

Hopefully as we approach game time tomorrow, we’ll get some good news regarding Ricky Rubio’s status.

Aside from Rubio, there’s also been a bit of an update on Dante Exum. According to several reports, Exum has been going through non-contact portions of practice this week. The fact that he can’t do full contact practice shows just how far he has left to go until he’s ready to finally return to action, but it’s also an extremely positive step in the right direction.

It’s not a stretch at all to assume that we’ll see Exum back in action sometime next month.

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Until then, his Jazz team will continue to plug along without him and hopefully they will at least have Ricky Rubio back right away. The Utah Jazz will hit the floor on Friday night at 7:00 PM as they host the Portland Trail Blazers in their first game back from the All-Star break.

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