"La Pistola" Ricky Rubio will miss his fifth game of the season Friday when the Minnesota Timberwolves visit Sleep Train Arena to face the Sacramento Kings.
The 25-year-old Spaniard will be held out due to soreness in his left ankle, which he aggravated Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks.
Minnesota will catch a break with Kings All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins missing the game with a strained lower back. But Rubio's importance to the Timberwolves offense can't be understated - his absence will undoubtedly sting.
The team is 0-4 when Rubio - who's averaging 10.7 points, 8.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds - doesn't play.