Cavaliers C Ilgauskas returns to practice

Jan 26, 2009 - 10:35 PM INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (Ticker) -- Cleveland Cavaliers starting center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who has been sidelined for nearly a month with a sprained left ankle, returned to practice Monday.

Ilgauskas went through Monday's workout without any issues and hopes to return to the lineup for Thursday's contest at Orlando.

"We did fastbreak drills, a lot of shooting, two or three defensive drills, four-on-four and some conditioning drills," said Ilgauskas, who is averaging 13.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. "It wasn't a hard practice, but it was enough."

Ilgauskas has not played since December 30 at Miami, missing 11 games. The Cavaliers have gone 8-3 in his absence and boast the Eastern Conference's best record at 34-8.

Cleveland also has been without starting guard Delonte West, who is expected to miss another month with a fractured right wrist.