Isaiah Thomas assigned to Cavs' G League affiliate for full-team practice
The Cleveland Cavaliers announced Thursday that they have assigned point guard Isaiah Thomas to their G League affiliate, the Canton Charge.
The move brings Thomas, who has been sidelined with a hip injury for the entire season, one step closer to joining his new team on the court. The Cavaliers acquired Thomas, among other players, in an offseason trade with the Boston Celtics in exchange for Kyrie Irving.
According to a press release, Thomas was sent to Canton to participate in the Charge's full-squad practice Thursday. The team did not specify whether Thomas would appear in any G League games.
In an interview with the Associated Press earlier this week, Thomas said he could be back on the court for the Cavaliers as soon as next week.
"I'm just trying to get as close as 100 percent as possible and to be out there to be special," Thomas said. "Not just to be out there and be another body. However long that takes — it might be next week, it might be a week after that. We don't know and we're really not trying to put a date on it because it just depends on how my recovery is.
"I'm ramping up my workouts, but at the same time it's how I feel the next day, and it's getting lighter and lighter, which is a good sign."
The Cavaliers, who have won 18 of their past 20 games, host the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night and the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day. They'll travel to Boston to play Thomas' former team Jan. 3.
Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.