James’ status for opener is still unclear

Associated Press

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — After Cleveland’s final practice before a season opener Tuesday against the Boston Celtics with playofflevel hype, Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue still wasn’t sure if LeBron James was playing. J.R. Smith knows. “Oh, he’s gonna go,” Smith said of his celebrated teammate. “He’s gonna go, trust me that. I don’t care what he’s gotta do, he’s gonna play.”

While Smith might be giving James the green light, Lue and other team officials remained unsure of James’ status for the game against the Celtics and former Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, whose ballyhooed return to Cleveland is expected to be part homecoming, part hate-fest.

James didn’t speak to reporters Monday after practice, but the three-time champion was in a playful mood while engaging in a competitive outside shooting contest with teammates Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder and Jeff Green.

James has been slowed by a sprained left ankle suffered in practice Sept. 27. He played in only one of Cleveland’s five exhibition games, and his absence has kept a starting lineup that now includes Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose from getting much floor time together.

James, 32, hasn’t missed an opener in his previous 14 seasons, and it would be hard to imagine sitting this one out given the attention with Irving coming back after this summer’s blockbuster trade between the teams — and the All-Star guard’s recent swipe at Cleveland.

Just so he’s protected, Lue has made a contingency lineup in case James doesn’t play. Smith will take his spot in the Cavaliers “B” lineup.

Lue has said for days that he doesn’t know for sure if James will be ready.

“You know I never hide stuff from you guys,” Lue said when pressed about his superstar’s availability. “I really don’t know, I mean, just depends on how he feels after today. ... I’m preparing that he is [playing].”

Smith, who is beginning his third full season with Cleveland, knows it will take a lot more than a sore ankle to keep James off the floor.

“Just because he loves the game,” he said.