Cavs hoping Irving, Shumpert can play this weekend

Point guard Kyrie Irving, who has not played since breaking his left kneecap in last season’s NBA Finals, remains inactive. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com, Shumpert and Irving could both return either against the Orlando Magic or Boston Celtics. Shumpert has yet to play a game this season after undergoing wrist surgery just after media day in September.

As for Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving, who is also believed to be close to returning to the court, tonight will be his debut.

Cleveland leads the Eastern Conference with a 14-7 record, quite an accomplishment considering the Cavs have been without two starters since the opener. We kind of like to let them get through the practice then the next morning [and] gauge how they’re feeling.

Blatt cautioned that while both players could be back soon, there’s no assurance that either will play during the trip. Surely, never discount the possibility of both of them not playing.

Shumpert’s availability comes at a welcome time as the Cavs’ starting shooting guard, J.R. Smith, is not with the team, staying back in Cleveland because of an illness.

Blatt said he hasn’t put a number on how many minutes Irving and Shumpert will play upon their return, but said, “Obviously you’re not going to throw them out there for 48 minutes”. Sports, the Cavs’ injured backcourt of Irving and Iman Shumpert will be traveling with the team in the next few days and could make their return to the court on this road trip.

Blatt said being short-handed has meant asking healthy players to extend their volume of play. He wants them to be ready to play their normal minutes. “That’s just not, that ain’t me”, James said, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. If the answer is yes, and if Shumpert comes back with his usual perimeter defense, then we may see the Cavs really take off.