Independence, OH (92.3 The Fan) – The Cavaliers could get their leader back for Wednesday night's game against Miami. Tristan Thompson is listed as questionable, but head coach Larry Drew said he will play for the first time since spraining his foot on December 10. He may not start, but he will play.
"Obviously rehab is good and whatnot, but after a while it gets boring," Thompson said at shootaround. "It's better to be on the court playing with your guys and competing, so I'm glad to be back."
"If my number is called, I’ll be ready to go. If not, I’ll be the best cheerleader I can be."
Thompson, 27, is having the best season of his career, averaging 12 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. The Cavaliers are 2-8 without him and have lost six-straight games.
He isn’t the only player who could give the Cavs the boost they need. Patrick McCaw will make his Cavaliers’ debut tonight at The Q. Cleveland signed McCaw to a two-year, $6 million offer sheet last week. The Golden State Warriors declined to match. He practiced with the team on Monday.
“I loved playing in Golden State,” McCaw said on Monday. “My teammates, the coaches, it was nothing really – nothing stands out to me to say I didn’t want to go back. Think it was just a personal thing where I was just like, I think it was time for me to move on for a new opportunity within myself. Nothing against Golden State, front office, coaches, players, the environment, it had nothing to do with any of that. It’s just a personal thing, and I wanted a new opportunity to move on. I can’t say anything other than it was all me – nothing against Golden State. I just wanted to move on.”
McCaw will get his chance to move on and should get plenty of opportunities to show what he can do. The 23 year old averaged four points and 1.6 rebounds per game in two seasons with the Warriors.
Other Cavs Notes:
David Nwaba and Ante Zizic will miss tonight’s game against the Heat. Nwaba continues to deal with an ankle sprain and Zizic is battling a knee injury.
Former Cavalier and future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade missed shootaround for the Heat on Wednesday due to an illness and will miss tonight's game. Wade announced prior to the season that this would be his final year in the NBA. The Heat will play the Cavaliers in Cleveland on January 25, so fans will get one more chance to see Wade play at The Q.
Kevin Love continues to rehab from the toe injury that has sidelined him since November. Some expect him to return later this month, but Drew declined to give a timetable for his return.
