Irving aggravates left knee in first half, exits
CHICAGO — Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving tweaked his left knee Thursday night in the first half of a 94-73 win over the Chicago Bulls and did not return as his team advanced to Eastern Conference finals with the Game 6 victory.
Irving stepped on teammate Tristan Thompson‘s sneaker with his left foot with 9:47 remaining in the second quarter, causing his left leg to plant awkwardly.
He then tripped over Thompson with his right foot as well on his way to the floor.
He had to be helped to the locker room by Cavs trainer Steve Spiro and special assistant coach Damon Jones.
Irving’s left knee was re-wrapped in the locker room and he was initially listed as “probable” to return by the Cavs, but his status was downgraded to “doubtful” after Matthew Dellavedova started in his place in the second half.
Irving came into the game nursing tendinitis in his left knee and a right foot strain. The fourth-year point guard struggled because of his injuries in the middle of the series, combining for just 23 points on 5-for-23 shooting and two assists in Games 3 and 4 but bounced back with 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting and five assists in Game 5.
The two-time All-Star said he felt improved before shootaround on Thursday.
“I feel pretty good,” Irving said Thursday morning. “This is the most I’ve done just to prepare for one game in my whole entire career. Any game to say that. But I feel pretty good. A lot of icing, a lot of treatment, doing what I need to do. But I woke up feeling alright.”
He finished with six points on 2-for-2 shooting and one rebound in 12 minutes of Game 6.
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