Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio will miss the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee, the team announced Wednesday.
Rubio, who is under contract through this season, had an MRI on his knee at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health on Wednesday after suffering an injury during Tuesday night's 108-104 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Cavaliers said they would update his status "as appropriate."
Rubio also tore the ACL in his left knee in 2012 during his rookie season in Minnesota.
On Tuesday, as Rubio was walking down the lane, he maneuvered around Pelicans guard Devonte Graham and slipped as he planted his right foot, and his left knee fell to the ground with 2 minutes, 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Rubio, in pain, immediately grabbed his left knee and signaled the Cavaliers bench for help. He was not putting any weight on his left leg as teammates Kevin Love and Isaac Okoro helped him off the floor.
Rubio, 31, made a big impact in his first season with Cleveland, giving leadership and depth to the youth team. The Cavaliers have already won 20 games after going 22-50 last season.
His injury is the second significant injury on the backcourt in Cleveland. Colin Sexton suffered a knee injury at the end of the season. 7 November. At the time, Sexton was the team's leading scorer.
"He and I have had such a history," Love said after Tuesday's game. "I really care about him. ... We are completely disappointed. He was having such a great season."
In 34 games this season, Rubio, who was acquired over the summer in a trade from Minnesota, averaged 13.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game.