LeBron James Injury: Updates on Cavaliers Star's Knee and Recovery
Superstar forward LeBron James has undoubtedly been the biggest key to the Cleveland Cavaliers' success this season, but he tweaked his knee in the team's game against the Magic. However, James is expected to play against the Heat on Monday.
Continue for updates.
LeBron 'Will Play' vs. Heat
Monday, March 16
Head coach David Blatt said James "will play" in Cleveland's matchup against the Heat, per Bleacher Report's Ethan J. Skolnick.
ESPN's Chris Broussard reported earlier on Monday, "For all the talk about LJ tweaking his knee, I'm told he has no injury and is active. Expect him to play tonight in Miami."
On March 15, ESPN.com's Michael Wallace reported that the 30-year-old veteran tweaked his knee in the third quarter of the Cavs' 123-108 win over the Orlando Magic:
He finished the game with 21 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds in 35 minutes of action.
Blatt has done a solid job of limiting James' minutes when necessary and even giving him some time off, but James has been unable to avoid ailments entirely.
Most of his issues have been minor bumps and bruises that haven't warranted concern. He did have to sit out an eight-game stretch in December and January, though, and the Cavaliers went just 1-7 during that time.
A knee injury kept James out of action, and while he missed a significant amount of time, that had more to do with the Cavs playing it safe than anything else, per ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst:
Although Cleveland hasn't thrived with James on the sidelines this season, it has the talent needed to do so. With Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and others perfectly capable of taking over games, it is important to remember that Cleveland is far from a one-man team.
LeBron is an irreplaceable talent, though, and his presence is needed on the court for the Cavaliers to retain their status as title contenders.
Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.
