LeBron James Injury: Updates on Cavaliers Star's Knee, Back and Return
LeBron James dealt with an injured left knee and lower back that kept him out of nine straight games. He returned to the lineup on Jan. 13 against the Phoenix Suns.
Continue for updates.
James Announces Return to Cavs' Lineup
Tuesday, Jan. 13
LeBron James will play tonight against the Phoenix Suns, he announced on Bleacher Report's Uninterrupted:
Coach David Blatt discussed how much he is expected to play per Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal:
James Calls Himself "Game Time Decision" for Tuesday
Monday, Jan. 12
Sam Amick of USA Today shared what James had to say about his availability for Tuesday night:
James was expected to practice on Monday, and if things went well there was a chance for him to play on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns, as Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports reported on Sunday:
"LeBron James could return to action Tuesday in the Cleveland Cavaliers' game against the Phoenix Suns, provided he has a strong practice on Monday, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Cavaliers coach David Blatt said he is hopeful James will practice Monday in Phoenix. Two other sources said James definitely will participate.
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"Right now we're in a stage where he is shooting and he is moving," Blatt said. "He's running through sets. He still hasn't done live work. [Monday] we will see if we can do that with him."
James took part a 25-minute shooting and dribbling workout that grew in intensity prior to the Kings game. The intensity of James' participation in practice on Monday will be based on how he feels as it progresses, a team official said.
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James has now missed eight games in a row for the Cavs, and the team has gone 1-7 in his absence. Sporting a record of 19-19, Cleveland is currently occupying the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Considering the importance of James, obviously Cleveland wants him back as soon as possible, but ultimately his long-term health is the main concern.
Monday's practice is a major moment for both LeBron and his Cavaliers.
James Not Expected to Play vs. Kings
Saturday, Jan. 10
Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal provides an update on James' status:
James Speaks About Being Out
Friday, Jan. 9
James discusses what it's been like to be sidelined on Bleacher Report's "Uninterrupted":
James Using Warm Weather To Rehab
Thursday, Jan. 8
Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported the latest in LeBron James' recovery from knee and back injuries:
"Cleveland Cavaliers doctors advised James not to attend games over the past week because "continuous sitting" on the bench would be bad for his back, coach David Blatt said. For this reason, James was excused from team activities and did not attend road trips in Charlotte and Philadelphia and a home game against the Dallas Mavericks.
'That was by design'" Blatt said. 'He hasn't been around per orders of the doctor.'
James spent part of that time doing rehab at the Cavs' practice facility but also spent time this week in Miami. Spending time in the warmer weather was deemed healthy for James' back. James said he was having rehab sessions three to four times a day during the past week.
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'It helps that we're going to some warmer cities, so my body could use that as well,' James said Wednesday upon returning to the team after being away. 'It's difficult for sure, not being with the guys, and me being a team guy, and a camaraderie guy, it was difficult for sure.'
James did not sit on the bench during the Cavs' loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Earlier he received a re-evaluation from team doctors that showed progress in his recovery.
'I'm on a program right now. I feel good. Week 1 is complete and I got one more left, they say," James said. "If everything continues to go well, I'm on target, I'm on pace, I'm feeling better every day.'
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James May Return After Another Week
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Ethan Skolnick of Bleacher Report provides an update on James' status:
Rick Noland of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram provides more comments from James:
Griffin, Blatt Comment on James' Injury, Potential Return
Sunday, Jan. 4
Bleacher Report's Ethan J. Sknolnick provided a synopsis of Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin discussing James' recovery:
On Jan. 2, head coach David Blatt stated James was not under pressure to return before he was ready, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin:
James Expected to Miss Two Weeks
Thursday, Jan. 1
The Cavaliers reported James' MRI results and revealed how much more time he is expected to miss:
ESPN's Brian Windhorst provided some context on James' absence:
Windhorst also noted that the injury wasn't viewed as severe:
James Out for Second Straight Game
Wednesday, Dec. 31
ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin passed along comments from head coach David Blatt on LeBron James' status. He's been ruled out of the Cavs' New Year's Eve game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com passed along comments from James on his knee:
James to Sit With Injured Knee
Tuesday, Dec. 30
LeBron James is dealing with a left-knee injury that will force the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar forward to miss Tuesday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks.
Bleacher Report's Ethan J. Skolnick passed along further details about the news:
One of the overlooked aspects of James' greatness is his durability. His first season back with the Cavs after a successful stint with the Miami Heat marks his 12th year in the NBA. The most games he's ever missed in a single season is seven. Tuesday's absence, which also happens to coincide with this 30th birthday, is the second time he's been sidelined during the 2014-15 campaign.
That's even more impressive when you consider he's averaged around 40 minutes per game throughout his career. Not to mention he's often the anchor at both ends of the floor. That's a lot of mileage, but he's fought through the pain to play whenever possible.
James previously dealt with some soreness in his left knee. In past years, he's often stuck it out through various ankle issues, but nothing that kept him in street clothes for an extended period of time.
Cleveland obviously hopes the same holds true this time around. While the team awaits further word on the extent of the ailment, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love will have to prepare to lead the way. Dion Waiters would figure to see a bump in minutes, as well as usage on the offensive end.
Once more information surfaces on James, the team's short-term outlook should become clearer. Updates will be added as they become available.
