Isaiah Thomas says practice Sunday was hardest he’s run in rehab process

Isaiah Thomas hasn’t played this year while recovering from a torn labrum in his hip. Well, Sunday, Thomas played in 5-on-0 drills in practice for the first time this season, and Thomas said that he hadn’t run that hard since starting his rehab process, via Cleveland.com:

Thomas said the workout he completed Sunday was the "hardest I've run" during his recovery, and it "felt good for the most part." He said the next step in the process would be cutting and changing direction, and team sources say Thomas has completed each stage of rehab with no setbacks or pauses or side effects.

Thomas ramping up his workload is obviously great news for the Cavaliers, who suddenly have been forced to start Jose Calderon at point guard with Iman Shumpert, Derrick Rose and Thomas out. He’s obviously not quite ready to return, but the signs seem to be trending positively.

Despite the fact that the Cavaliers have been anything but impressive to start the season, Thomas says the Cavaliers haven’t pressured him to return before he’s ready, a testament to the organization’s view of the long game. Also via Cleveland.com:

"I'm protecting myself, so, even if they wanted me to hurry back, I'm not going to hurry back, just because I've got a long career ahead of me and an important summer as well," Thomas told cleveland.com. "So, I've got to make sure I'm 100 percent healthy before I step out on the floor. But these guys have not rushed me one bit. They've taken their time with me and I appreciate that. Because most teams, they want you out there, especially if things aren't going well."

They certainly haven’t been at times for the Cavaliers. But, with help on the way, the Cavaliers are hoping for better times in the near future. In the short term, they’ll continue to lean on LeBron James to be their primary playmaker.