Isaiah Thomas’ hip injury reportedly includes arthritis and loss of cartilage

The news about Isaiah Thomas’s right hip keeps getting worse and worse. Not only did Thomas suffer a right femoral-acetabular impingement with a bruised hip and torn labrum, but according to The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd, Cleveland’s new All-Star point guard has other conditions complicating his healing process, including some arthritis and a loss of cartilage.

Writes Lloyd:

One source with direct knowledge of Thomas’ hip condition told The Athletic last week that he is dealing with more than just a tear. Some of those secondary issues in the hip he has played with for years now, such as a loss of cartilage and some arthritis, are complicating his healing process.

“No one has any idea how quickly this will heal or if it even will heal at all,” the source said. “It’s hard to predict.”

The Cavaliers paused trade negotiations with the Boston Celtics when doctors discovered the severity of Thomas’s hip injury. Cleveland eventually relented, sending Kyrie Irving to Boston for Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, Brooklyn’s 2018 pick and additionally Miami’s 2020 second-rounder.

But there has been a cloud of uncertainty surrounding Thomas, who declined to comment on his hip during Thursday’s introductory press conference. Instead, general manager Koby Altman intercepted all questions regarding Thomas’s hip injury, shutting down further questions about his status or his timeline for recovery.

In an unlikely, but possible outcome, Thomas’s hip recovery — which does not include surgery — could keep him out for the entire 2017-18 season, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe. That’s bad news for a Cavaliers team looking to return to the NBA Finals for a fourth consecutive season, but only have Derrick Rose, Jose Calderon, and Kay Felder as options at point guard.

The Cavs have not updated Thomas’ status, but it seems to get more worrisome by the day. Stay tuned.