The Cleveland Cavaliers are planning on having Isaiah Thomas participate in five-on-five practices and likely have a scrimmage with their G League affiliate as he gets closer to returning from his hip injury.

Thomas aggravated an existing hip injury in last season's playoffs and has been recovering throughout the offseason.

The Cavs' official timeline for Thomas' recovery provided to the media in late September called for Thomas to be back playing games by the first of the year.

Shams Charania reported that Thomas could return during the first week of January.

"I don't know where that came from, but I hope so," Tyronn Lue said Sunday night of the report. "I hope it's accurate."

The final decision on when Thomas will return will be agreed upon by Thomas, Cleveland's front office and their medical staff.