NEW ORLEANS — Cavs reserve Caris LeVert is back — right in time to help the franchise in its quest for early-season history.
LeVert, the team’s prominent sixth man and fifth leading scorer, is returning from a brief two-game absence caused by right knee soreness — a minor issue that the organization believes it will need to continue monitoring, especially early in the season. Sources say LeVert will continue to come off the bench despite starting small forward Dean Wade being at home because of an illness that has been described as “flu-like symptoms.”
Wade is missing his second straight game. The hope is he will re-enter the lineup Friday night, when the Cavs host surging Golden State.
As for Wednesday versus the wounded New Orleans Pelicans, the plan is to have defense-first swingman Isaac Okoro join the starting group once more. In a spot start Monday, Okoro tallied five points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal in 26 productive minutes while pestering Milwaukee All-Star Damian Lillard.
Sources say rookie Jaylon Tyson, who has been inactive the last few games because of a hip issue, will also be available Wednesday night.
Cleveland is 8-0, tied for the best start in franchise history — a mark that has stood for nearly 50 years.