Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James (23) poses for the twitter mirror as Kendrick Perkins looks on during the NBA basketball team media day, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, in Independence, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — LeBron James missed his second straight practice with a sprained left ankle, an injury that happened on Dwyane Wade’s first day with the Cavaliers.
James was at the team’s Cleveland Clinic Courts facility getting treatment Friday, and could be seen in the training and fitness area. Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said the superstar is day to day, but the team has not said much else about James’ injury.
The three-time NBA champion rolled his ankle on Wednesday night, shortly after his good friend Wade turned down other offers to sign a one-year, $2.3 million contract with Cleveland.
It’s not known how James hurt his ankle. The team said X-rays were negative.
James has tweaked his ankles in the past, but the 32-year-old has been incredibly durable throughout his career, playing in at least 75 games in 12 of his 14 regular seasons. He played in 74 games last season.
The Cavaliers play an intra-squad scrimmage on Monday at Quicken Loans Arena and their first preseason game is scheduled for Wednesday against Atlanta.
Cleveland’s season opener is Oct. 17 against the Boston Celtics and former Cavs guard Kyrie Irving, who was traded this summer.
Wade was introduced to the media following Friday’s practice, and said James began recruiting him to come to Cleveland months ago.
“He knew I could help this team in some way. I appreciated that,” Wade said. “It wasn’t the sole reason, but definitely everyone knows our relationship, and that he’s a huge reason why I decided to come here. But this team is so good, and you just want to be a part of something special like this.”