Kyrie Irving nearing return with Cavaliers

CLEVELAND — Cavaliers All-Star guard Kyrie Irving is fully cleared to practice and says he's made "the biggest step" in his comeback from a broken left kneecap.

Irving didn't disclose a date for his season debut, but said Thursday that he's made significant progress and won't look back — or hold back — once he's on the floor. When he returns, Irving says: "I'm a Ferrari without a rearview mirror."

Irving fractured the kneecap in Game 2 of the NBA Finals last season. Without him, the Cavs were missing one of their top offensive players and couldn't stay with the Golden State Warriors, who won the title in six games.

Irving says he has pushed himself harder this week in practice, devoting himself to knock off the rust.