CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Isaiah Thomas is doing a little bit more each time he takes the floor, playing controlled one-on-one with members of the team's player development staff following Friday morning shootaround at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

After once again working through padded contract drills, trying to simulate coming off physical screens, Thomas went to the next stage of his workout.

In the one-on-one drill, the first that reporters have seen during this thorough recovery from hip injuries suffered last season in Boston, Thomas started on offense and then played defense, alternating for a few reps before finishing his session with some free throws.

At this point in his recovery, it's about making small gains before being ready for his regular season debut. Still, each day Thomas is doing at least one thing different.

Over the weekend, he ran faster than head coach Tyronn Lue had seen. Following Wednesday's shootaround, hours before the Cavs' game against the Brooklyn Nets, Thomas took contact for the first time after doing a few change-of-direction drills. On Friday, he was able to play one-on-one.

Soon enough, Thomas will be able to practice with his teammates. Although, according to Lue, that hasn't been discussed.

"We know he's making progress every day, which is good for us," Lue said recently. "We just want to make sure we do what's best for him as far as health-wise and not coming back too soon. We haven't talked about it yet."