The Nuggets are optimistic that oft-injured point guard Isaiah Thomas will debut with the team ahead of the mid-February All-Star break, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
Thomas, 29, signed a one-year pact with the Nuggets in July as he recovered from hip surgery in March. It was the same hip injury that cut short his stint in the 2017 NBA Playoffs and delayed the start to his 2017/18 campaign.
Thomas’ final step in recovery is progressing to 5-on-5 scrimmages. If that goes well, Denver expects the former All-Star to possibly return by the Feb. 11-13 homestand and no later than the team’s first game after the All-Star break on Feb. 22, Wojnarowski reports.
It was just over two seasons ago that Thomas was third in the NBA with an average of 28.9 PPG. Thomas seemed destined for a lucrative deal worth north of $100MM but his troublesome hip prevented that. He split last season between the Cavaliers and Lakers, averaging 15.2 PPG in 32 games before undergoing hip surgery.
If Thomas successfully returns, he will battle with guards Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Malik Beasley, Will Barton and Monte Morris for playing time.
IT3’s heart never left boston and boston loves IT3. I’d be shocked if he didn’t return next year or sooner
Tony Bennett left his heart in SanFrancisco, and Isaiah Thomas left his hips in Massachusetts.
Cousin IT is backing up the Brinks truck while in rehab but when he is done he will find a way to make a mess of the Nuggets.