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LeBron James will miss the Cleveland Cavaliers’ preseason opener according to Cavs coach Tyronn Lue. Lue announced that James would miss Wednesday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks after the Cavs finished playing Monday’s Wine and Gold scrimmage:
Ty Lue says that LeBron (L ankle) will not play in the preseason opener Wednesday. He will play at some point in the preseason, per Lue
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 2, 2017
James hurt his ankle last week in practice when stepped on rookie Cedi Osman’s foot. He is expected to play at some point in the preseason and the injury is not considered serious. After the injury, James underwent X-rays on his injured left ankle and they came back negative.
The preseason is no time to push James too much or play him at anything less than 100 percent. All Wednesday’s absence really means is that the Cavs will have to wait in order to roll out their new starting with lineup and begin getting James on the same page as the likes of Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade and Jae Crowder. It is unclear who will start in his place.