After over a month out, Cleveland Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson is expected to make his return for Tuesday night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. However, he will come off the bench as a backup big man as opposed to slotting straight back into the starting lineup.
Thompson has been out of action since early November after suffering a strained left calf. He’s averaging 4.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in 21.6 minutes through eight games this season. All three numbers would be new career-lows.
The initial plan heading into the season had been for Thompson to come off the bench for the Cavs, but head coach Tyronn Lue quickly placed him back in the starting lineup three games into the season. Thompson had started five games in a row prior to suffering the injury, with the Cavs losing four of those games.
Thompson now comes into a Cavs team which has since weathered those early-season problems. With Kevin Love playing more effectively as the team’s starting center, the Cavs have won 14 of their last 15 games.
Love is presumably set to start at center over Thompson against the Hawks if he’s healthy. He missed the Cavs’ most recent game due to hip soreness. If not, Ante Zizic could once again make the start.
