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Cavs' Irving increasing workload, no timetable for return

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Kyrie Irving was back on the practice court for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, but there remains no timetable for the All-Star point guard's return to action.

Irving could accelerate his rehab and play within a week if "it was a Finals game on the line," a source told ESPN's Dave McMenamin, but seeing as that is not the case, it is anyone's guess as to when he will suit up.

Irving underwent surgery almost five months ago for a fractured left kneecap that he suffered in Game 1 of June's NBA Finals, and the Cavs are in no rush to get him back in the lineup.

"He's gradually increasing his workload," coach David Blatt said. "We'll take him through the process necessary to get him back on the court with everybody."

Related: Do Cavaliers' injuries even matter in the East?

It's worth noting that Irving's Sunday workout came with ice compression devices on his knees. Cleveland has a lighter than normal schedule coming up after Monday's meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers, with only four games in 10 days. Blatt couldn't say if the extra practice time would mean escalating Irving's workouts.

"I can't say that particular period will be significant in terms of his on-the-court work with the whole team," he said.

While it's a light, three-game sample size so far, in Irving's absence point guards Mo Williams and Matthew Dellavedova have combined to average 19 points, 10.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.6 turnovers per contest.

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