Isaiah Thomas Won't Make Comeback from Hip Injury vs. Warriors on Christmas Day

The Cleveland Cavaliers eagerly await the debut of Isaiah Thomas, but it will not come on Christmas Day against the Warriors, according to Jason Lloyd of The Athletic.

Thomas has been out the entire year with a hip injury suffered during last season while a member of the Boston Celtics.

He was assigned to the G League's Canton Charge on Thursday but Cleveland soon recalled him after participating in five-on-five scrimmages, per Shams Charania of The Vertical.

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com, members of Thomas' camp had already ruled out a return before Christmas, but head coach Tyronn Lue made it official Tuesday.

Charania reported the first week of January remains the plan for the point guard to play his first game with his new team. The player "likely has the ability to return now," but the team wants to ensure no setbacks.

Thomas was the centerpiece of the trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Celtics, but he has been unable to contribute this year due to a torn labrum in his hip. When healthy, he is one of the best scorers in the NBA, averaging 28.9 points per game last season while earning his second All-Star appearance in a row.

Despite question marks at point guard, Cleveland has survived without him after a slow start, currently in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 23-9 record that includes wins in 18 of its last 20 games.

After the highly anticipated Christmas game with the Warriors, Cleveland continues its road trip to Sacramento and Utah before returning home on Jan. 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers. Assuming there are no more setbacks, that home game could be Thomas' first appearance with the Cavs.