Tyronn Lue says he doesn’t know if Isaiah Thomas will be back before January

With Isaiah Thomas seemingly increasing his workload — prior the Cavs’ win Friday against the Wizards, Thomas did a full stretching routine and some one-dribble, and two-dribble shooting, in addition to some half-speed drives to the rim — it seems as if his return may come sooner than expected. Jan. 1 was previously set as a rough date for his return.

Cavs coach Tyronn Lue, however, says he isn’t yet sure.

“I don’t know,” Lue said Sunday prior to the Cavs’ game against the Hawks when asked if Thomas’ return would come sooner than expected.. You know, the staff is doing a great job of just, you know, just trying to get him ready, trying to get him right, so, we don’t want to rush him back if he’s not 100 percent.”

“They’ve been doing a good job of taking it slow, making sure they’re rehabilitating him the right way, and we just go from there.”

The Cavs could certainly use Thomas back, but not before he’s ready. In the meantime, seeing him do more is a good sign. If the Cavs were able to get him back before the new year, and have more time to integrate him into the team alongside all of their other new pieces, they’ll be better off for it.