Rubio Laments Poor Shooting, Not Coming Home For Game 6
Apr 24, 2019, 11:22 PM | Updated: 11:28 pm
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) gets off a pass past Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio (3) during Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series in Houston on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
(Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
HOUSTON, Texas – In what could end up being his last game in Utah Jazz uniform, Ricky Rubio had a chance to help the Jazz take the lead late in Game 5 against the Houston Rockets.
Unfortunately his corner three attempt remaining completely missed the rim, soaring over the basket and into Houston’s arms.
Had he made the shot, the Jazz would have taken a two point lead with about a minute remaining. It could have been a potentially series-altering basket. Instead, Houston went on to clinch the series victory with a 100-93 win.
… never too high, never too low. We came up short but we can’t forget that a 50win season is a helluva season. I’m proud of this team. We fought all the way till the end. pic.twitter.com/snb8oADDkH
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) April 25, 2019
It was the biggest moment of the year and Rubio came up short (or long, for that matter) and after the game, he acknowledged it while discussing his team’s poor shooting in Game 5.
“I got an open three, with one or one and half minutes left and I missed it, but it’s not about that, it’s the whole game,” said Rubio.
After Utah’s Game 4 win at Salt Lake City, Rubio was confident when addressing the media, feeling that the series had begun anew.
Following the season-ending loss on Wednesday, Rubio maintained that had his team won in Game 5, the series would have ultimately gone to a decisive Game 7 based on how Game 4 went.
“The game we had in Game 4, we got to credit to the fans because they helped us,” said Rubio. “We knew that if we were going to win tonight, there was going to be a Game 7. There’s no way we were going to lost at home.”
Ricky Rubio with an air ball in the biggest moment…🤦♂️
The Rockets defeat the Jazz 100-93 and advance to the next round. #HOUvsUTA pic.twitter.com/6vAErOJrlc
— Sports Plug (@_SportsPlug) April 25, 2019
“During the entire series, the Jazz and Rubio in particular drew a lot of criticism from fans and pundits for their defensive strategy on Rockets star James Harden. After all was said and done, Rubio defended his coaching staff, led by Quin Snyder, for making that decision to shade Harden and stick with it through the five game series.
“A lot of people can talk and say ‘Do this,’ and ‘Do that,’ said Rubio. “There’s nobody in the league who spends more time in film like our coaching staff. Our coach played the odds, he’s one of the best doing it.”
Apparently Ricky Rubio learned how to play defense from James Harden. pic.twitter.com/nS5IKABphz
— FunnyNBAguy (@FunnyNbaGuy) April 25, 2019
Rubio was playing in the final year in his contract this season. After being in the middle of mid-season trade rumors, it’s possible that the Jazz may move on from the Spanish point guard during the offseason.
