INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Cavaliers guard Isaiah Thomas did not address specific questions about his hip injury during an introductory news conference.
Thomas, who was acquired last week by Cleveland along with forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic and a first-round pick in a blockbuster trade with Boston, was cut off by Cavs general manager Koby Altman when the first question was asked Thursday about his hip and a timetable for his return.
“This is not going to be the Isaiah Thomas hip news conference,” said Altman, adding the team has a rehab plan in place and will not rush the All-Star guard back.
The Cavs’ plan does not include surgery, Altman offered without giving any other details.
“Ya’ll hear that?” Thomas said after Altman’s comment. “Everybody wants to be doctors now.”
Coach Tyronn Lue offered a glimpse of a timetable by saying Thomas will not be ready to start the season.
Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com provides some additional insight into what may come next for the Cavs:
Altman, who was flanked by Thomas and coach Tyronn Lue, made clear that he did not want either Thomas or anyone else to discuss the hip injury that cost Thomas the last three games of the Eastern Conference finals last season and will apparently cause him to miss at least a portion of the 2017-18 season.
Lue mentioned that Thomas would not start the season, declaring Derrick Rose the team’s primary point guard with Jose Calderon backing him up in Thomas’ absence.
But beyond that, no one has any idea when Thomas may play.
“We’re not going to address any specifics of (Thomas’) hip injury … and we’re not going to a put timetable” on Thomas’ return, Altman said. “We’re not going to rush this thing. Our goal is to bring him back at some point this year.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
