Timberwolves starting point guard Ricky Rubio practiced at full speed and with full contact on Friday for the first time since training camp's first week and will make his preseason debut at Memphis on Sunday if he comes through Saturday's practice just as well.
That would leave him three preseason games to prepare for the team's regular-season opener on Oct. 28 in Los Angeles against the Lakers.
"I can adapt very quick," he said. "The point guard has to know the personnel from Day 1, so it's only been about 10 days, and I've been around the game. Of course, there is some timing I need and we need to practice together. But a couple days practice and three games before we start, I think it's going to be right."
Rubio said his quad on one side of his body and his surgically repaired ankle on the other both felt fine during a practice when he wore a black jersey that designated him a starter. He said he could have practiced a week ago like he did Friday, but the team's travel and practice schedule during a six-day, three-game Canadian trip didn't allow a full practice like Friday's.
"I felt good," he said. "I felt tired, but that's normal."
Rubio said his legs and lungs let him know he hasn't done much full 5-on-5 work since he was cleared to do so in September after April surgery on a severely sprained ankle.
"Honestly, he lost some conditioning, but he's got time," Wolves interim coach Sam Mitchell said. "He'll get it back."
Rubio believes there is enough time before the season opener.
