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MINNEAPOLIS -- Point guard Ricky Rubio has left the Minnesota Timberwolves for personal reasons and will miss at least the next game, Sunday against Denver. Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said he expects Rubio to get back into town late Sunday and rejoin the team for practice Monday. Rubio did not play in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night because of tightness in his left hip. Kris Dunn and Tyus Jones filled in, helping the Wolves defeat the Clippers 104-101. Rubio averaged 13.2 points and 14.0 assists during a recent five-game stretch, from Jan. 9-17. He has been the subject of trade rumors for much of the season, with the belief that Thibodeau would prefer a point guard who shoots better from the perimeter. League sources told ESPN on Friday that the Timberwolves have discussed a potential trade that would send Rubio to the Detroit Pistons for point guard Reggie Jackson. Speaking Saturday, Pistons coach and team president Stan Van Gundy told local reporters that he's not trading Jackson to the Timberwolves. Rubio has two seasons left on his contract after this season, valued at $29.2 million. The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 23. ESPN's Marc Stein, Chris Haynes and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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