Rubio lost for season with ligament tear

MINNEAPOLIS, March 10 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Saturday rookie point guard Ricky Rubio would miss the rest of the season with a ligament tear in his left knee.

Rubio suffered the injury Friday during the latter stages of Minnesota's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rubio was the fifth overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft and came to the Timberwolves to start this season. He had played more minutes than any other rookie in the league this season and led all first-year players in assists and steals.

"Obviously, Ricky's injury is an unfortunate turn of events for him and our team," said David Kahn, the team's president of basketball operations. "Ricky is a competitor. I am confident that he will work hard to get back on the court next year and continue his progression as one of the top point guards in our league."

Rubio averaged 10.6 points in 41 games, 31 of them starts. His 8.2 assists per game were fifth-best in the league.