Cavaliers activate Traylor, place Williams on injured list

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Cavaliers activated forward-center Robert Traylor from the injured list Sunday, and placed forward-center Scott Williams on the injured list.

Traylor missed eight games after breaking his left pinkie against New Jersey on Dec. 7. Cleveland went 3-5 without Traylor, who averaged 5.1 points and four rebounds in 18 games.

"Getting him back is a Christmas gift for the team," coach Paul Silas said before the Cavaliers played the New Orleans Hornets at Gund Arena. "Robert was really playing well and a big part of our rotation."

Traylor, 27, signed with Cleveland as a free agent in August after playing three seasons with the Hornets.

Williams, 36, has left knee patella tendinitis. The 14-year veteran averaged 1.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in 17 games.