The Cleveland Cavaliers are hoping to have Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert back by the end of December, as both players have started working out after missing the start of the season with injuries. LeBron James and Kevin Love rebounded against the Trail Blazers to help snap a three-game losing streak for the Cavs and the team now is preparing for the Magic on Friday.
The Cavaliers are at the top of the east standings, but the team has been in a bit of a mini-slump over the past couple weeks and that made the comeback win against the Blazers important for LeBron James and company. The team snapped a three game losing streak and Kevin Love bounced back after one of his worst games of the season. The Cavs won 105-100 over Portland Trail Blazers behind 33 points from James and they were able to come back from an early 18-point deficit.
Love struggled last week with a 2-for-11 night against the Miami Heat that saw him score just five points, but he rebounded with 18 points against the Blazers. James led the way with 33 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocks and now the Cavaliers will try and keep things going against the Magic on Friday. The team has been getting solid contributions from Matthew Dellavedova and Mo Williams this season, but once Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert return, those two likely will see their minutes decrease a bit.
The Cavaliers have been one of the best teams in baseball this season despite playing without two of their most important players and that could give the team a shot of confidence once Shumpert and Irving return. Both players have started working out with the team and it's likely that Shumpert will be returning before Irving. According to Cleveland.com, head coach David Blatt said that he hopes both players can return "sooner rather than later."
Irving does not yet have a set return date, but Jason Lloyd at the Akron Beacon Journal reports that Irving was able to practice on Monday and has started doing 5-on-5 work with the team. Irving may be able to return by Christmas, which has a matchup on the schedule with the Warriors. Shumpert is coming back from wrist surgery and while he was able to participate fully in practice this week, Shumpert still does not have an official return date.
Shumpert and Irving are both expected to start once they come back and that should help the Cavs rotation with Dellavedova, Williams and JR Smith. Shumpert is on schedule in his recovery and that puts a potential return date next week for the Cavaliers. The Cavs have been cautious with Irving, but he has slowly been able to add more physical activity to his workouts and he has yet to suffer a setback.
