Kyrie Irving has been cleared for intensive weight-bearing activities as he works his way back from a fractured kneecap.
Irving suffered the injury during Game 1 of The Finals in June.
David Blatt stated on Thursday that Irving still has "a ways to go."
Once Irving is permitted to practice, a week of full practice sessions with no setbacks is what the team needs to see before he's allowed to make his season debut.
Irving's recovery timetable was scheduled for 3-4 months and he's now been out over five months.