CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 1: JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms put prior to the start of Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals against the Toronto Raptors at Quicken Loans Arena on May 1, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)Jason Miller/Getty Images

Cavaliers' JR Smith Had MRI on Elbow Injury, Doubtful vs. Raptors

Scott PolacekOct 16, 2018

Cleveland Cavaliers guard JR Smith had an MRI on his injured elbow Monday and has been ruled doubtful for Wednesday's season opener against the Toronto Raptors, according to Marla Ridenour of Ohio.com.

Smith was durable in 2017-18, appearing in 80 games and averaging 8.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game behind 37.5 percent shooting from deep.

He is a critical piece of Cleveland's rotation because he can take advantage of openings created when opposing defenses collapse on penetration elsewhere.

TOP NEWS

Bleacher Report7h

Bleacher Report10h

Smith drilled 43.0 percent of his three-pointers during the 2016 playoffs as Cleveland marched to a title and 50.0 percent of his playoff threes in 2017 on the way to the NBA Finals.

The Cavaliers will likely give more minutes to the combination of Jordan Clarkson, Kyle Korver and Cedi Osman if Smith is forced to miss significant time, but they could use his postseason experience and touch from the outside if they are going to make a surprise playoff run in the absence of LeBron James.