LeBron James misses Cavaliers’ game at Thunder because of sore left knee

LeBron James. Keith Allison / Flickr.

OKLAHOMA CITY—LeBron James sat out the Cleveland Cavaliers’ game at Oklahoma City because of a sore left knee.

Cleveland coach David Blatt announced the decision Thursday night during his pregame media session. He said James started to have issues following Cleveland’s victory over Toronto on Tuesday night.

“After the last game, he felt some soreness in the back of his knee,” Blatt said. “Nothing major. He got up this morning and didn’t feel particularly good, so we decided to hold him out.”

Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving then left the game late in the second quarter when he injured his left knee. A Cavaliers spokesman said it was a left knee contusion, and Irving returned to start the second half.

James has averaged 24.9 points, 9.0 assists and 4.9 rebounds during Cleveland’s eight-game winning streak, helping the Cavaliers climb to the top of the Central Division. He entered the day fourth in the NBA in scoring at 24.8 points per game and second in minutes at 38 a game.

James has played in all 20 of Cleveland’s previous games this season. Blatt said it’s a day-to-day situation, and there are no plans for an MRI.

“We’re monitoring it, and I really don’t believe we have any kind of serious situation on our hands, just some soreness and we’re being cautious,” Blatt said.

With 1:31 left in the second quarter, Irving jumped to contest a shot by the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook, and his knee connected with Westbrook’s knee on the way down. Irving, who began the night second on the Cavs in scoring at 20.8 points per game, clutched his knee and was helped off the court.