Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has been cleared for all non-contact activities following shoulder surgery in October to repair a torn labrum.

If he progresses successfully in non-contact drills, he could be cleared in the coming weeks to start contact drills.

Kidd-Gilchrist's original timetable suggested a six-month recovery time.

“For sure. No question I’m going to play this season,” Kidd-Gilchrist told the Observer Wednesday at shootaround. “I’m going to play. It’s a matter of when now.”

In Kidd-Gilchrist’s absence, Steve Clifford has started P.J. Hairston at small forward.

“He’s been doing all the 5-0 and 3-0 drills in practice. Frankly, it’s just nice to have him around because he brings such energy to everything he does. They seem pretty ‘So far, so good’ with his recovery,” Clifford said.

“I’m not a doctor, but I think (he’ll play in the regular season). The only thing they’re hesitant about is the nature of these injuries. Literally it has to be step-by-step. They are hesitant to put out a timeline. They just want to make sure."