Kyrie Irving Injury: Updates on Cavaliers Star's Calf and Return

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving experienced tightness in his calf during Tuesday's preseason game against the Washington Wizards and would not return, per Joe Gabriele of the team’s official website.

It's unclear when he will return to the court. 

Continue for updates.

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Lue Comments on Irving's Injury 

Tuesday, Oct. 18

Cavaliers coach Ty Lue said Irving is fine, according to Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio. 

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Irving Looking to Improve Upon Outstanding 2015-16 Season

One of the few knocks on Irving throughout his career has been his durability. He played 53 games in 2015-16 and has never appeared in more than 75 games in a single campaign since he entered the league as the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft. Irving also played a mere 11 games in his one collegiate season at Duke.

When healthy, he is one of the best offensive point guards in the league. He averaged 19.6 points and 4.7 assists per game last season behind 32.1 percent shooting from three-point range but truly made his mark in Cleveland’s championship run. Irving posted 25.2 points per game in the playoffs and shot a blistering 44 percent from three-point range.

His scoring improved to 27.1 points per night in the thrilling seven-game NBA Finals showdown with the Golden State Warriors, and he demonstrated his mettle as a clutch performer when he drilled what proved to be the game-winning three in the closing stretch of Game 7.

Fortunately for the Cavaliers, they do have a couple of options to shoulder the load if the three-time All-Star misses time.

Part of what makes LeBron James so special is his versatility and ability to play point forward as a facilitator and scorer. Cleveland can easily run the offense through James for large stretches on any given night.

Rookie Kay Felder boasts high offensive upside after he averaged 24.4 points per game in his final collegiate season at Oakland.

Cleveland has the pieces to survive a short-term setback to Irving, but it is a better team when he is on the floor.