LeBron in doubt for Cavs season opener

FOUR-TIME NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James will not play in Cleveland’s last pre-season game and is doubtful for Tuesday’s season opener against Boston, Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said on yesterday.

James woke with a sore left ankle after scoring 17 points in his first pre-season appearance, a 108-94 loss to Chicago, and Lue declared he would play tomorrow in the exhibition against Orlando.

The 32-year-old playmaker, who led the Cavs to their first NBA crown in 2016, missed most pre-season workouts and three pre-season contests with a left ankle sprain suffered on September 27.

James has not missed a season-opener in 14 NBA campaigns, but Lue hesitated when asked about his availability against Boston next week.

“(James) got treatment all day today, so I’m not sure if we should be concerned or not,” he said. “But it’s pretty sore so we’ll just see what happens.”

J.R. Smith will start for James tomorrow with Jose Calderon moving into the lineup, Lue said.

James said after the loss to Chicago the game was a test to see how his ankle was recovering from the injury.

“I’m pushing through it right now,” he said. “I just wanted to try and test my foot, test my ankle to see how I would come out.”

James averaged 26.4 points and career highs of 8.6 rebounds and 8.7 assists last season as the Cavaliers reached the NBA finals, losing to Golden State.

The Cavaliers had hoped to have him play alongside newcomers Derrick Wade, Dwyane Wade and Jae Crowder.