MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves do not expect the revelation of a torn lateral collateral ligament in Ricky Rubio’s left knee to significantly affect his timeline for a return to the team.

Rubio injured his knee late in a game against the Lakers on March 9. The team initially announced that he tore the ACL when his knee buckled while trying to guard Kobe Bryant.

When Rubio went to Vail, Colo., for his surgery on Wednesday, Dr. Richard Steadman discovered that his LCL needed reconstruction as well. That led some fans to worry that the Spanish point guard who electrified the team would be out even longer.

But after consulting with the doctors and athletic training staff, team officials say the timeline for Rubio’s return to the court remains between six and nine months.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)