MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Ricky Rubio won’t be in the lineup when the Minnesota Timberwolves open the season against Sacramento. Neither will Kevin Love.
Love is out for at least a month with a broken shooting hand and Rubio is not expected back until mid-December at the earliest with a torn ACL in his left knee.
Even without their two best players, the Timberwolves feel better equipped to survive.
The Wolves targeted experience and depth in the offseason. They brought in Brandon Roy, Andrei Kirilenko, Dante Cunningham and Greg Stiemsma. They hope those additions will help them avoid a similar fate than they endured last year, going 5-20 after Rubio was hurt.
Minnesota opens the regular season at home Nov. 2 against Sacramento.
