The Cleveland Cavaliers held LeBron James out of practice once again Thursday, but head coach David Blatt says LBJ will suit up against the Chicago Bulls on Opening Night next Tuesday.
James, 30, hasn’t practiced since taking an anti-inflammatory shot to his back last week.
LeBron did “light work” on the court while his teammates practiced.
Per the AP:
“We’re being very conscientious and cautious with him in terms of his feeling,” coach David Blatt said. “He’s fine and he’s going to be fine. We’re just going slowly and carefully with him. He’ll be out there very soon.”
James didn’t speak to reporters following the workout at Cleveland Clinic Courts. However, he did throw around some footballs with a few teammates on a field outside the facility before heading home. […] The 30-year-old star played in just two of Cleveland’s seven exhibition games, missing the last three after receiving the shot. Last week, James said he would get another injection in his back if needed.
Entering his 13th NBA season, James has said he may play fewer minutes in the regular season to stay fresh for the postseason and a run at a third league title. He has played over 43,000 minutes — he averaged a career-low 36.1 last season — and James has acknowledged his basketball mortality saying “Father Time is undefeated” on more than one occasion. […] James missed 13 games last season, the most in his career, and he took two weeks off to rest his back and a strained knee. Blatt said he’s not concerned the time off will affect James’ conditioning.
