National Basketball Association

Mo Williams returns to record-losing Cavaliers

Published Feb. 12, 2011 12:24 a.m. ET

foxsports

The struggling Cavaliers got some needed Mo on their side.

Point guard Mo Williams has returned after missing 13 games with a hip injury for the Cavaliers, who hope to end an NBA record 26-game losing streak Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.

''I haven't felt this good at all this season,'' said Williams, whose season got off to a bad start when he strained his groin in the days leading up to the opening of training camp. ''I'm more explosive, attacking the rim more, because I have the strength to do it.

''I feel reinvented. I have a different pep to my step.''

The Cavs haven't won since Dec. 18, and the return of Williams is at least some good news in an otherwise dreary season.

Coach Byron Scott plans to use Williams as a reserve, but will re-insert him into the starting lineup once he shows he's ready.

Scott said having Williams back is a plus - on and off the floor.

''It's good to have a veteran player back,'' he said, ''and the guys listen to him.''

Williams hasn't played since Jan. 15, when he returned to Cleveland while the Cavs were on a road trip. He received a cortisone shot a few days later and has been rehabbing his injury while the Cavs have set an NBA mark for consecutive losses and dropped 36 of 37.

Ramon Sessions has been starting in place of Williams, who is averaging 13.6 points and 7.1 assists. However, Williams' shooting percentage is way down.

''I was playing injured,'' Williams said. ''We made the decision to shut me down and make sure we got it to 110 percent.''