NBA: LeBron questionable for opener

INDEPENDENCE, OHIO— The season opener is four days away and there are doubts LeBron James will be ready.

James still isn’t practising because of a troublesome back and there’s no guarantee he’ll be on the floor when the Cavs begin their quest for an NBA title on Tuesday in Chicago.

The four-time MVP received an anti-inflammatory injection in his back on Oct. 13, but hasn’t practised since as he hasn’t been cleared by Cleveland’s medical and training staffs. James, who played in just two of Cleveland’s seven pre-season games, said Friday he’s not positive he’ll be on the floor against the Bulls.

“If everything goes right,” he said. “We feel like we’re progressing really well and if we can continue to do that, then I’m optimistic that I’ll be able to go.”

Earlier this week, Cavs coach David Blatt said James would “absolutely” play against the Bulls. Now that doesn’t seem nearly as certain, and general manager David Griffin raised the possibility Cleveland could rest its biggest star for the opener.

“He really wants to compete,” Griffin said. “We just want him to get better every day and he has been and he’s been progressing and feeling like we’d like him to feel.”

The Cavs won’t practise again until Sunday.

James received a similar injection last season when he was slowed by back pain and a strained left knee. The 30-year-old wound up sitting out two weeks and returned revived before leading the Cavs to the Eastern Conference title and their first trip to the NBA Finals since he took them there in 2007.

Entering his 13th season as a pro, James is more mindful of his minutes and wants to be healthy when it matters most — in the playoffs. Last week, James said he would get another back injection if needed.

“He takes part in more of practice every day. We haven’t cleared him to just be full go, which is annoying to him quite frankly,” he said.