CLEVELAND (AP) -An MRI on LeBron James’ injured left finger in Toronto revealed a sprain, and the Cleveland Cavaliers said their superstar would be a game-time decision for Friday’s game against the Raptors.
James hurt his index finger with 4:41 left in the second quarter on Wednesday night against Detroit when he was fouled on a drive by Pistons center Nazr Mohammed, who slapped at the ball as James began to shoot.
James stayed in the game and made both free throws. He finished the first half but left the court holding his hand in obvious discomfort. He later returned to the bench in street clothes with his injured finger taped to his middle one and iced his hand while watching the Cavs lose 109-74.
X-rays taken at the Palace in Auburn Hills did not show any fractures. James underwent an MRI at Cleveland Clinic Toronto, which confirmed the sprain, the club said in a statement that offered no other details.
The Cavs did not practice on Thursday.
While the team says James is day to day, the Cavaliers likely will be overly cautious with the injury so he doesn’t make it worse. Cleveland is already without starter Larry Hughes (bruised leg) as well as veteran Donyell Marshall (sprained wrist) and can’t afford to lose James for any significant time.
James was playing his first game at the Palace since Game 5 of last season’s Eastern Conference finals when he scored 48 points, including Cleveland’s final 25, as the Cavaliers beat the Pistons.
He scored 15 points with three assists before leaving Wednesday’s game.
James leads the NBA in scoring with 31.7 points per game and is averaging 8.5 assists and eight rebounds.
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