Ricky Rubio returns from 3-month absence for Wolves on Monday

It's finally official, and it's awesome: Ricky Rubio is back.

Sidelined since Nov. 7 with a serious ankle sprain - complete with ligament damage - the Minnesota Timberwolves have confirmed Rubio will make his return Monday against the Dallas Mavericks. He's expected to be capped at around 20 minutes of action.

Rubio appeared in just five games before suffering the injury, averaging 9.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 10 assists. Known as one of the league's most gifted playmakers and best guard defenders, the knock on Rubio is his inability to knock down jump shots and finish at the rim - something the Wolves bet would improve over time when they inked him to a four-year, $55-million extension in October.

Still just 24 years old, Rubio has plenty of time to deliver on that promise. His age also helps him fit in with an exciting young core in Minnesota, one that's taken strides at the individual level while he's sat.

Rubio's absence has expedited the development of the still-shaky but improving Zach LaVine, while it's also put the ball in the hands of the impressive Andrew Wiggins more often. Between those two, an emerging pick-and-roll partner in Gorgui Dieng and - when healthy - Shabazz Muhammad, Rubio has a lot of fun toys to play with now.

In 82 games last season, Rubio averaged 9.5 points and 8.6 rebounds while leading the league in steals. Those rates that can't be expected immediately upon his return, but are decent benchmarks to measure against later in the year.