JR Smith to Start Game 3 of Cavaliers vs Pacers After Suffering Hamstring Injury

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue told reporters shooting guard J.R. Smith will be in the starting lineup for Thursday night's Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers after he sat the second half of Game 2 with a hamstring injury, according to The Athletic's Jason Lloyd.

Smith initially injured his left hamstring in the first half of Game 2, but his absence over the final 24 minutes sounded more precautionary than anything else. 

"I wanted to play," he said after the 117-111 win, according to ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin. "They didn't want me to play."

Through two playoff games, Smith has been rather quiet. Over the course of 55 minutes, he's attempted just seven shots (and made three) en route to nine points. 

Now back in the starting lineup, Smith will attempt to play a prominent role in handing the Cavaliers a 3-0 series lead as they get ready for Thursday's 7 p.m. ET tipoff against the Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. 

For more news, rumors and related stories about J.R. Smith, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the NBA, check out the NBA and Cavaliers streams on Bleacher Report's app.