Ricky Rubio appeared before the camers and microphones -- several of them clipped to his t-shirt collar -- Thursday at Target Center for an update on his surgically repaired knee and suggested a return to game action sometime in December is most likely, most not certain.

Newly signed Andrei Kirilenko gets his time under the lights this afternoon, when he formally will be introduced by David Kahn at Target Center.

Rubio said he's not putting a timeline on it because his recovery is a step-by-step process.

He said Vail, Colo., surgeon Dr. Richard Steadman has told him he'll play in December, but acknowledged it could be January if he experiences swelling or pain as he takes each step toward his comeback.

He is in his third week of being cleared to run, but said he probably won't receive clearance to start jumping again until November.

Here is the story in Friday's paper and video from Rubio's media availability.

Here also is the replay to the live chat I did Thursday afternoon on startribune.com.