LeBron James (Knee) Could Miss Second Meeting Vs. Heat
The only thing that could keep LeBron James from possibly playing against his former team, the Miami Heat, on Monday night is a tweak of his right knee against the Orlando Magic on Sunday. James landed strangely after trying to challenge a shot, but was able to play 35 minutes after and finish out the game.
Still, James doesn’t take the fall lightly, and any lasting effects could keep him out of action in Miami. From ESPN’s Dave McMenamin:
LeBron James tweaked his right knee in the second half of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 123-108 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday and is hopeful it won’t sideline him for his return to Miami to face the Heat on Monday night.
James fouled Orlando’s Dewayne Dedmon while trying to block the Magic forward’s shot with 8:13 remaining in the third quarter and landed awkwardly on the floor, getting his right leg caught underneath him.
“It was a scary moment for myself, obviously,” James said afterward. “I couldn’t get my foot from up underneath me, and I was able to play through it. Obviously I’ll see how I feel tomorrow and go from there. But I haven’t [had] one of those falls, I don’t know if ever, but in a pretty long time.”
James said he will receive treatment on his knee Monday.
LeBron recently made a request for a little more rest before the playoffs start. For it to begin now is probably ahead of his ideal schedule, especially with his former team winning the last match up on Christmas behind 31 points from Dwayne Wade. The Cavs and Heat will play again on April 2 as well.
Without LeBron the Cavaliers are 2-9 this season and they currently hold a three-game lead over the Raptors and Bulls for second place in the Eastern Conference.
