At long last, the Warriors will.

Golden State's franchise player will make his much-anticipated season debut against the Cavaliers at Oracle Arena tonight, two weeks after he rejoined practice and nine months since he last played in an NBA game.

"I'm ready to go," Ellis said in a statement on the team's Web site. "It's just nice to get back to the game that I love and to play for the fans who have been so good to me. I'm really pumped. It's a great day."

While Ellis is primed for his on-court return, his off-court dispute with the Warriors still lingers. Ellis' agent, Jeff Fried, met with top team officials this week in an attempt to close the book on Ellis' punishment for his summer moped accident, but the team is sticking to its wait-and-see approach on Ellis' recovery.

Team president Robert Rowell fined Ellis $3 million in October and reserved the right to levy future penalties - including voiding Ellis' six-year $66 million contract - which prompted Fried to file a grievance against the Warriors that remains unsettled.

"This is a positive time for Monta and the community, and that is the collective focus, although we have certainly proceeded with the necessary steps to protect Monta's interests," Fried said.

Though Ellis has been pushing to come back for weeks, the Warriors' brain trust and medical staff waited until Thursday to officially green-light his return. Players were told at the end of practice, with loud cheers following coach Don Nelson's announcement.

Nelson said Ellis will start alongside Jamal Crawford in the backcourt - with Stephen Jackson at small forward and Corey Maggette continuing to come off the bench - as Golden State gets its overdue first look at a revamped core.

That Ellis' debut comes against the powerhouse Cavaliers and MVP front-runner LeBron James doesn't concern Nelson.

"I don't think it matters who, it's just when," the coach said. "It's all agreed upon now and I think he's ready. ... How the ankle holds up is important, if he has pain, all those things, we don't know about. But eventually, he will be the same Monta. That's the one thing I'm most happy about. That he will be as good as ever."

"I watched him before he was injured - that quickness is still there, that explosiveness - and he's just chomping at the bit to get out there," Crawford said. "I'm excited for him. It's been a long time since he's been on the court and I know a lot of people want to see him."

Briefly: Center Andris Biedrins sprained left hand is expected to be available after missing his first game of the season Wednesday. Not so for swingman Kelenna Azubuike, who sprained his left ankle during the Thunder game and was limping noticeably Thursday.

Warriors tonight Cavaliers 32-8 vs. Warriors 13-30Oracle Arena7:30 p.m.CSNBA/680The Cavs are hurting despite being in a virtual three-way tie with the Celtics and Magic for the East's top spot. LeBron James might be the MVP front-runner with averages of 27.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game, but his supporting cast is dwindling with starters Delonte West fractured wrist and Zydrunas Ilgauskas fractured ankle out. ... Cleveland 20-0 at home but only 12-8 on the road has split the first two games of this West Coast trip, losing 105-88 to the Lakers on Monday and bouncing back with a 104-98 win over the Blazers on Wednesday.- Janny Hu