Kyrie Irving all set to return against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday – NBA Update
When the reigning NBA rookie of the year, suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left finger on Nov. 17 in a game against the Dallas Mavericks, it was expected that he will miss at least a month for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The guard has made a quick recovery though and three weeks after the incident, he is all set to make a comeback for the Cavs, who are preparing to take on the struggling Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
Speaking after Monday’s practice session, Irving revealed that the injury period has been very stressful for him, especially considering the number of losses which the 4-17 Cavs have suffered;
"It's been very difficult," Said Irving, who has been doing cardio exercises for the last two weeks in a bid to stay in shape. "But I've gotten a chance to really break down the game and it's given me a chance to get a different
outlook being on the sideline. I'm really happy to be out there and be competing again."
"They were killing me behind the scenes," he said. "I definitely stayed in shape over the last two weeks. I needed it and it felt good."
The Cavaliers lost 9 of the 11 games they played in Kyrie’s absence, one loss worse than the 2-8 record with him. However his impact on the lineup cannot be denied.
Before getting injured, Irving averaged 22.9 points and 5.6 assists per game, and more importantly he fulfilled the role of an on court general, playmaker and a finisher down the stretch. Coach Byron Scott seemed pleased to have
his star player back in the lineup;
"I think all the guys are looking forward to having him back out there because he does make most of our guys' jobs a lot easier because he can create so much for himself and for his teammates," Scott said.
Kyrie’s comeback at this point is also important because of a bone bruise injury to this year’s number 4th draft pick, Dion Waiters. The shooting guard is still some games away from returning to the lineup and Kyrie’s
presence will do a lot to strengthen the back court.
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