Isaiah hopes to play Wednesday in Boston, expects warm reception

Isaiah Thomas could make his highly anticipated season debut next week, and there's a certain matchup he's eyeing.

The Cleveland Cavaliers star is hoping to get some considerable burn against his former team Wednesday in Boston.

"I would like to play (against the Celtics), but I don't know," he told reporters Friday. "I don't know if I'm going to be able to play, but I would love to play back in Boston. That would be a pretty fun game to play in, but I don't know. We're gonna see how today goes, see how I feel tomorrow."

The All-Star point guard has already been ruled out of Saturday's contest against the Utah Jazz due to a hip injury that has sidelined him since the end of last year's playoff run with the Celtics.

Related: Isaiah would've sat out Celtics' playoff run if given more medical info on hip

Thomas, 28, could return to action as early as Jan. 2 versus the Portland Trail Blazers, but will be on a minutes restriction and held out of back-to-backs, head coach Tyronn Lue told ESPN's Dave McMenamin. If IT suits up against the Blazers, then, he'll have to sit out at his old stomping grounds.

The high-scoring floor general suggested he doesn't want to be limited in his return to Beantown. He does understand the Cavs' reasoning, though, and agrees he's not fit for the workload he's used to.

Related - Isaiah emotional when told he's been traded to Cavs

Still, he wants to suit up against the Celtics, with whom he blossomed into a star over two-plus seasons. He's expecting a warm reception from his old fan base.

"It better be good. It will be good," he said. "If I'm able to play, it's going to be a really special game for me. It's gonna be emotional because I gave my heart to that city and they showed genuine love back, and that's how we feel about each other. If I am able to play that game, it'll be a good one."