National Basketball Association

Cavaliers G Waiters returns to starting lineup

Published Dec. 18, 2012 11:41 p.m. ET

foxsports

Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters is back in the starting lineup after missing eight games because of a sprained left ankle.

Cleveland hosted Toronto on Tuesday night.

Waiters is averaged 15 points and more than three assists per game. He was injured on Dec. 1.

Waiters was cleared to play late last week. Coach Byron Scott wanted Waiters to go through Monday's practice session before he returned.

Point guard Kyrie Irving and Waiters are starting together in the backcourt for only the 11th time this season. Irving missed 11 games with a broken left index finger before returning last week.

Irving is currently playing with a broken bone in his jaw. He was hurt Friday and is wearing a protective mask. He scored a career-high 41 points in a 103-102 loss to New York on Saturday.