Cavs' Blatt: Irving still has 'a ways to go' in recovery
The Cleveland Cavaliers are still being cautious with Kyrie Irving in the early portion of the regular season, and why wouldn't they? They're 7-1 without Irving, and haven't lost since opening night.
The 23-year-old All-NBA point guard, who averaged 21.7 points and 5.2 assists on a career-best 58.3 true shooting percentage last season, fractured his left kneecap in Game 1 of the NBA Finals just over five months ago, and has yet to play in a live game or even participate in practice since.
The Cavs said before the season they wouldn't rush Irving back, and they're abiding by that credo thus far.
"(We're) not rushing things and not letting up from the day-to-day work, but still a ways to go," head coach David Blatt said Thursday, according to Chris Haynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "And how much, I can't honestly tell you, but he's working at it every day."
The only timeline the Cavs have offered regarding Irving in the past few months was an estimation he'll be back before January. In the meantime, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Co. are holding down the fort, and have Cleveland sitting atop of the Eastern Conference standings. Mo Williams has replaced Irving in the starting lineup and has been mostly outstanding, averaging 16.5 points and 5.5 assists with a .490/.410/.909 shooting split and 20.1 PER.
As he gradually works his way back, Irving is building up leg strength, as well as doing some individual on-court work.
He won't join the team for their three-game road trip beginning in New York against the Knicks on Friday night.
"We're just taking small steps," Blatt said. "Small and sure."