With just 13 games (counting tonight) remaining in the regular season, the NBA Playoffs are approaching fast for the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers.
As most fans of the team know, the Cavs have dealt with quite a few injuries this season, including Kevin Love‘s knee, J.R. Smith‘s fractured thumb, Andrew Bogut‘s unfortunate season-ending leg injury, and Kyle Korver‘s foot soreness. Thankfully, the team seems to be getting healthy at just the right time.
Since joining the Cavs on January 7th, Korver is averaging 11.1 points (49% from beyond the three-point line), 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. The smooth-shooting swingman has missed seven games due to the soreness in his right foot. Now, it seems he is nearing a return. Yesterday, Korver was on the practice court with his teammates.
Via Joe Vardon of cleveland.com:
“I feel a lot better, like I’ve been sitting a long time,” Korver said after yesterday’s shootaround. “Definitely rested, my foot’s feeling stronger.”
Cavs Head Coach Tyronn Lue has stated that J.R. Smith, who seems to be progressing well in his recovery and return, will be inserted into the starting lineup if Korver is ready to play in tonight’s road game against the Denver Nuggets.
Lineup note: JR Smith will start ahead of Iman Shumpert on Wednesday if Kyle Korver (foot) is cleared to play.
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Korver told reporters yesterday that it has been difficult watching his team from the sidelines.
“We’ve had so many games in a short period of time,” Korver said. It’s been hard to watch, you know. You want to be out there playing with the guys and competing.”
At the end of his media availabilty, Fred McLeod of Fox Sports Ohio asked Korver how excited he is to see the Cavs at full strength.
“I think we all want to see that,” Korver replied. “I mean, Ty (Coach Lue) really wants to see that, you know, figure out lineups. There will be a lot of possibilities with this team, I think.”
https://youtu.be/7kC0JMOPDgc
