Superstar LeBron James said the Cleveland Cavaliers should not put their hopes too much on Isaiah Thomas’ return to save them, saying it’s their duty to perform well rather than wait for the injured point guard to return. "We can't rely on just one person. We can't rely on just one person for us to be as good as we want to be. We have guys who have to step up,” James told reporters Thursday (Nov. 9), per Bleacher Report. James said it’s unfair to put too much pressure on Thomas, who is still recovering from a hip injury. The team expects Thomas to return late December or early January.

James said they want Thomas to take his time in recovering from the hip injury, adding that he expects him to fit in perfectly with the team when he returns.

The Cavaliers acquired Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Brooklyn Nets' unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick and a 2020 second-round selection in the Kyrie Irving trade with the Boston Celtics. Without Thomas, the Cavaliers struggled to a 5-6 start this season while Irving has led the Celtics to an NBA-best 10-2 mark. A two-time All-Star with the Celtics, Thomas averaged a career-high 28.9 points per game on top of 5.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds last season. However, they lost to the Cavaliers in the East Finals after he was sidelined by a hip injury.

Rose out against Rockets

The Cavaliers will face the Houston Rockets Thursday without starting point guard Derrick Rose, due to ankle soreness, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. However, McMenamin said it’s unclear if the soreness is on the same ankle that Rose sprained earlier this season. With Rose out, the Cavaliers will start Iman Shumpert at point guard.

Shumpert scored six points and grabbed five boards during 19 minutes in their 124-119 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Rose, for his part, scored 10 points in 25 minutes of action for the Cavaliers.

Cavaliers escape Bucks

Kevin Love tallied a double-double with 32 points and 16 boards as the Cavaliers improved to 5-6 during the season.

James added 30 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, J.R. Smith scored a season-high 20 points, while Dwyane Wade chipped in 10 points off the bench for the Cavaliers. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 40 points and Malcolm Brogdon added 22 points, five rebounds, and six assists as the Bucks dropped to 4-6. Khris Middleton chipped in 20 points and 11 assists and Mirza Teletovic had 16 points off the bench for Milwaukee.