Timberwolves Injury Update: Ricky Rubio was back at practice taking shots without walking boot or crutches

At 5-21, the season might already be over for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. Needless to say, it's been a disappointing year for the Minnesota faithful. One of the most frustrating events so far this year has been the injury to former first-round pick, Ricky Rubio. However, according to the Timberwolves' Public Relations twitter, the Spaniard began taking shots shots during a team shootaround without a boot or crutches.

Credit: TonyTheTiger, Wikimedia Commons

Rubio suffered an ankle sprain on November 7th, and has appeared in only five games this year. While it's unlikely Rubio will return in 2014, an early January return is not out of the question as the Timberwolves look to climb out of the Western Conference basement.

An update by R.J. White of CBS Sports reveals that Timberwolves coach, Flip Saunders believes that Rubio will return to contact drills within two weeks, assuming he doesn't suffer any more setbacks.The fact that Rubio is now longer in a boot is promising, but even with his imminent return, it looks as though the Timberwolves are destined for a lottery pick for yet another year.

Ricky Rubio taking a few set shots close to the basket as the #Twolves go through shootaround this morning on the other end of the floor.
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) December 8, 2014

In the five games he has played this year,  Rubio averaged 9.4 and 10 assists per game. Rubio was signed to a significant four year contract extension prior to the season's start, and is considered to be a piece of the rebuilding puzzle. He has played only one full season without injury, and has struggled with injuries since his rookie season.

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