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Ante Zizic to return Sunday, Dylan Windler not yet cleared to return

The Cavs are getting some needed center depth back vs. Philadelphia.

Cleveland Cavaliers v Sacramento Kings Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

The Cavs are getting some additional reinforcements on Sunday.

According to head coach John Beilein, who spoke after the team’s practice on Saturday, center Ante Zizic will be able to play Sunday against the 76ers. Zizic, who has not played this season due to plantar fasciitis, will be limited to about 10 minutes, per Beilein.

Getting Zizic back is a coup for the Cavs. For one, he can help limit Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson’s minutes and keep them fresher. To date, Love is averaging 33.3 minutes per game — his most since the 2014-15 regular season — whole Thompson is averaging a career-high 32.5 minutes. Both have had injuries. Getting him back as Larry Nance Jr. is dealing with an injured left thumb is helpful too.

Zizic is likely in his last year with the Cavs after the team declined to pick up his option for next year.

Additionally, Beilein said Dylan Windler has not yet been cleared to return to full contact as he works his way back from a stress reaction in his left leg. Per Beilein, he could play in the G-League with the Canton Charge before making his proper NBA debut. He has not played this season because of the injury, which was initially estimated to keep him out 4-6 weeks.

The Charge play at home twice next week on Wednesday and Friday, so if Windler is cleared by then, those would likely be good options for him to play.

Larry Nance Jr. is also listed as day-to-day after reaggravating his thumb injury against the Heat on Thursday. He did not practice on Saturday and his status for Sunday is to-be-determined.