NBA News: Kyrie Irving Playing Five-on-Five

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving has returned to the practice floor, playing five-on-five basketball for the first time since breaking his hand earlier this summer.

Yahoo! Sports’ Marc Spears reports that Irving, who sustained a broken hand when he slapped a padded wall at a high school gym during a practice with the Cavs’ summer league team on July 14, took part in a scrimmage which allowed him to continue the steps necessary to regain mid-season form.

“I couldn’t tie my shoes,” Irving told Yahoo! “I couldn’t put my belt on. There were a few things I couldn’t do. I couldn’t cook, open up juice. I had my best friend and my father with me all the time.”

Irving averaged 18.5 points and 5.4 assists during his rookie campaign, garnering NBA Rookie of the Year honors. The 20-year-old played very well for the Select Team against Team USA during the Olympic training camp in early July, providing a bevy of highlights and hope for Cleveland fans heading into his sophomore season. He also made headlines by challenging Kobe Bryant to a one-on-one game, but said Monday he and Bryant currently don’t have plans to play.

Irving was recently ranked 22nd in ESPN’s NBARank project.

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