LeBron aggravates ankle injury; opener vs. Celtics in doubt
CLEVELAND » LeBron James won’t play again this preseason, and there’s a chance he’ll miss Cleveland’s hyped opener with Boston.
James didn’t practice Wednesday, a day after he made his exhibition debut after being slowed by a sprained left ankle sustained Sept. 27. Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said the fourtime MVP is sore and has been ruled out of Cleveland’s final preseason game Friday night in Orlando.
As for James’ status for Tuesday night’s game against the Celtics and former Cavs All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, Lue was noncommittal.
“Not sure,” Lue said. “Got treatment all day today, so I’m not sure if we should be concerned or not. But it’s pretty sore today so we’ll just see what happens.”
Lue said James is upset that still an issue.
“Pretty mad, pretty pissed “But I mean, it is what it is.”
James did not speak to reporters Wednesday’s practice.
He aggravated his ankle Tuesday night against Chicago as the Cavs unveiled a new starting lineup featuring James, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Jae Crowder and Kevin Love. James scored 17 points and had eight turnovers, but the defending Eastern Conference his off,” ankle Lue is said following champions fell to 0-4 and it’s apparent their new lineup is going to need a lot more time together. There were few sparkling moments as the group was mostly out of sync.
Lue said J.R. Smith will rejoin the starting lineup while James is out and guard Jose Calderon will enter the rotation.
Wiggins signs contract extension with Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS » A five-year contract extension worth nearly $150 million sat in front of Andrew Wiggins for more than two months.
Not only did the 22-year-old Wiggins not jump at the first chance to sign it, he decided to revamp the team of advisers around him and essentially lead the process himself. The Minnesota Timberwolves are hoping that self-assurance and unflappable nature helps a franchise long in the basement finally break through.
Wiggins signed his contract Wednesday, a straight five-year deal with no player option that puts a big piece of business to rest a week before the Wolves open the season. From his rookie of the year press conference in 2015 when he professed “I hope I’m here forever “to the eve of his fourth season in the league, the Canadian has never wavered in his admiration for his home away from home.