The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to face the Orlando Magic on the road tonight, with Isaiah Thomas making his first start since returning from injury. If Kevin Love also plays, it will mark the first time in Thomas’s career that he starts alongside two All-Stars in the same lineup.
During his time with the Celtics, Thomas was used to being the focal point of the defense. “Back in Boston, I was often double- or triple-teamed,” Thomas recalled. “But now, playing with LeBron, Kevin, and JR, defenders have to respect them. Most of the defensive pressure shifts to No. 23, which opens up the floor for me. It gives me more room to create plays.”
Although he made his season debut against the Portland Trail Blazers, Thomas sat out the second night of the back-to-back against the Celtics. Still, the Cavaliers are finally seeing their injured players return, and that’s a silver lining amid recent struggles. For most of the season, they’ve been missing key contributors, including Thomas himself, who averaged 29 points per game last season and earned a spot on the All-NBA Second Team.
Coach Tyronn Lue emphasized the team’s depth, saying, “With someone like Derrick Rose coming off the bench, we’ve been able to hold the line. Once everyone is healthy, things will look very different.” However, the Cavaliers have hit a rough patch lately, dropping five of their last seven games while on an extended five-game road trip.
When asked about his current form after practice, Thomas admitted, “In my first game back, I’d say I was at about 80 percent. My strength isn’t fully back yet, but with more practices and games, it’ll come. I just need more time to get back to the level I was at last season.”
As the regular season reaches its midpoint, there’s still plenty of time for the Cavaliers to reintegrate both Thomas and Rose into their system. Thomas played 19 minutes and scored 17 points along with three assists in his January 3 return against the Blazers.
With crucial games ahead, fans following every BD Cricket Match are also keeping an eye on Thomas’s progress. His return adds much-needed energy and depth to the Cavaliers’ rotation. If he regains his top form, he could be the x-factor as the team pushes toward a stronger finish. Whether you’re tracking an NBA comeback or a high-stakes BD Cricket Match, one thing is clear: timing and teamwork are everything.