NBA

Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio was cleared to begin practicing for the first time since tearing ligaments in his left knee last March. Rubio met with the doctor who performed his surgery this week to get the final clearance. Rubio tore his ACL against the Lakers on March 9 . . . The Mavericks will sign veteran point guard Derek Fisher, coach Rick Carlisle said after their loss to the Bulls. Fisher averaged 5.6 points and 2.7 assists in 63 games with the Lakers and Thunder last season. He played in all 20 of Oklahoma City’s playoff games, averaging 6.3 points . . . Lakers guard Steve Blake will miss at least two more weeks with an abdominal strain. Blake has missed eight games with the injury, suffered Nov. 11 at Sacramento, and will be out at least seven more . . . Heat forward LeBron James has the league’s hottest-selling jersey, the third time the reigning MVP and NBA Finals MVP has held that distinction. Thunder forward Kevin Durant checked in at No. 2, with Lakers guard Kobe Bryant third. The Celtics are represented by guard Rajon Rondo (sixth) and forward Paul Pierce (14th). The Knicks lead the team-sales category, followed by the Heat.