J.R. Smith

Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith shoots around before the game against the New York Knicks.

(Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For the second straight game, Cleveland Cavaliers swingman J.R. Smith was working out on the court prior to tipoff, testing his surgically repaired thumb.

"He seems to be doing very well. I'd say he's on schedule, maybe slightly ahead of schedule," general manager David Griffin said Thursday night, about two hours before the Cavs hosted the New York Knicks in the first game since the All-Star break.

Smith, who has been out since Dec. 20, has been hesitant to put a date on his possible return, even saying in a recent video for Uninterrupted that he wasn't going to rush his process.

Originally the Cavaliers said Smith would likely be out for 12-14 weeks. If he hits the 12-week timeline that would put him on track to return in mid-March.

"Surgeries are difficult to come back from," Griffin said. "Different things and things that weren't bothering you before in the rehab process start to. We'll see. He seems to be doing really well. I didn't realize he could throw a baseball quite as well as he does, but other than that, he's pretty good."

Iman Shumpert has taken over as starter with Smith sidelined. And Kyle Korver, acquired in January, has been an integral piece in the Cavs' 7-1 start to February. Prior to the break, Lue talked about the potential for the team's third-ranked offense to improve even more once Smith makes his much-anticipated comeback.

"I mean, imagine you put Kyrie (Irving), LeBron (James), Kyle Korver, J.R. and Channing (Frye) or Tristan (Thompson), or whatever," Lue said. "You got four shooters and a roller. I mean, we got a lot of different combinations that we can put on the floor when J.R. gets back. It's going to be tough."

On Thursday, there was plenty of chatter about the Cavaliers improving the roster before the trade deadline, but nothing materialized.

Still, the Cavs didn't seem bothered. As Lue said prior to Thursday's game against the Knicks, he "loves" the team as is. He also understands two big pieces will be coming back to the lineup sometime during the final stretch.

In the case of Smith, it could be earlier than expected.