Yet to play a game this season, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving has been recovering from a knee injury he suffered in Game 1 of the 2015 NBA Finals. Irving has been making strides though and it has been rumored that he’ll be making his season debut relatively soon. However, it won’t be happening on Tuesday against the Boston Celtics as many predicted.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Irving is physically and mentally ready to play against the Celtics but the Cavs are still remaining cautious and don’t want to rush back their All-Star guard.
A source familiar with Kyrie Irving’s rehabilitation told ESPN.com the fifth-year guard is “ready to play” both mentally and physically and has been that way for about the last week. Yet, Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt said after practice Sunday that “we won’t see” Irving on the court Tuesday against the Boston Celtics.
Blatt even went on to say Irving “practiced well” and “he is looking good and he is feeling good.
“We’d like him to work a few more days in practice,” Blatt said.
McMenamin also reports that the Cavs are being extremely cautious with Irving’s return and one source thinks he shouldn’t return until February. Right now, the Cavs are playing just fine without Irving so they are not trying to rush him back.
With LeBron James leading the Cavs and Kevin Love enjoying his own resurgence, Cleveland is on top of the East with a 15-7 record. With Irving, the Cavs would’ve likely picked up a few more wins but does that really matter in the big picture?
Cleveland is determined to not only make a return trip to the Finals but come away with the title this season. For that to happen, they will need Irving at full strength so the Cavs are hoping the longer he remains out, the greater his chances are of being healthy for the playoffs.
Still, all signs are that we should expect Irving back sooner rather than later.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
