NBA notebook: Trail Blazers G Lillard returns from injury
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard was back on the floor Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing five games due to a right hamstring injury.
Lillard was cleared to play earlier in the day after being hurt on Dec. 20 against the San Antonio Spurs. Lillard is averaging 25.2 points and 6.4 assists per game this season.
Another notable return also occurred as point guard Isaiah Thomas made his Cleveland debut. Thomas has been sidelined all season due to a hip injury. He was acquired from the Boston Celtics in August in the deal involving Kyrie Irving.
--Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball and center Brook Lopez were cleared to resume practice as they work to return from injuries.
Ball has missed the past five games due to a shoulder injury, while Lopez has missed eight games with a sprained right knee suffered on Dec. 18.
The Lakers (11-25) have lost 10 of their past 11 games and next play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.
--New York Knicks guard Ron Baker learned the hard way that attempting to block a dunk attempt from New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis can come with a price.
Davis slammed one down at Baker's expense Saturday, with his forearm hitting the 24-year-old's face on the play. The Knicks announced Tuesday that Baker sustained a left orbital fracture as a result of the contact and is being fitted for a face mask.
Baker is out Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs and is being considered day-to-day.
--Philadelphia 76ers rookie point guard Markelle Fultz is moving closer toward a return from a right shoulder injury that sidelined him more than two months.
"Philadelphia 76ers guard Markelle Fultz has been cleared to begin the final stage of his return-to-play program," the team said in a statement. "The program consists of gradual re-integration into team practices and training, complemented with additional conditioning work to support fitness readiness for game play."
Fultz has missed 32 games since last playing on Oct. 23. The No. 1 overall pick averaged 6.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in four games but shot a woeful 33.3 percent from the field and 50 percent from the free-throw line.
--Field Level Media
