James takes charge, Irving exits with sore knee
LOS ANGELES: Kevin Love returned from knee surgery, but Kyrie Irving made an early exit with knee problems of his own as the Cleveland Cavaliers toppled the Utah Jazz 91-83 on Thursday.
The Cavaliers can thank their lucky stars they still have a healthy four-time NBA MVP LeBron James, who was more than happy to pick up the slack.
As soon as Irving realized his wonky left knee was acting up again he went to James and asked "have you got this?"
James, of course said "Yes", and responded by pumping in 17 of his gamehigh 33 points in the fourth quarter.
Love, who hadn't played since February 11 and underwent knee surgery three days later, scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds in 20 minutes.
Irving scored 21 points, but he did not play in the fourth quarter because of left knee tightness.
Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert also left in the third quarter due to a left arm injury.
"You're going to get some knick-knacks, you're going to get banged up," Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. "But fortunately for us, our guys are ok. It's nothing serious, so we're fine with those two guys."
Lue said Shumpert was "day-to-day" and Irving was "fine," though Irving suggested there was a chance he'd miss at least the first game of an upcoming, four-game trip that starts Saturday in Los Angeles.
"I'm hoping that I don't have to miss any days, but if it really comes down to that and the bigger picture is way more important than a few days, then that's what it's going to be," Irving said.
Utah was led by Rudy Gobert, who had 20 points and 19 rebounds.