Shawn Marion has been battling a hip injury

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Shawn Marion has been noticeably absent from lineup of late. Now we have a better understand of why.

In speaking to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal, Marion revealed that he has been battling a left hip injury for the past 'couple months'. Marion told Lloyd that the hip began ailing him when the Cavs were on a West Coat road trip in early January and the injury caused him to miss the first two games of the trip. After playing 22 minutes against the Phoenix Suns on the same trip, Marion said it had improved but it has recently flared up. Marion id say, however, that he would play through it if it were the playoffs.

"At this point in my career, it's just age," Marion said to Lloyd. "It's definitely a very uncomfortable feeling. ... It ain't feeling any better."

Marion, 36, announced his retirement - effective at the end of the season - a few weeks back. He started earlier this season at shooting guard before the Cavs acquired J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert from the New York Knicks. Marion is averaging 4.9 points in 20 minutes per game this season. Both averages are career lows for Marion.