Kyrie Irving injury: Cavaliers not planning to shutdown star guard

Mar 5, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (2) during a game against the Utah Jazz at Quicken Loans Arena. Utah won 109-100. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Despite Kyrie Irving still being bothered by a sore knee, the Cleveland Cavaliers have no plans currently to shutdown their star point guard. Head coach Byron Scott told reporters on Thursday that he would consider pulling Irving so that he could get healthy but a new report suggests that there was a miscommunication between Scott and Irving.

Irving missed three games with a hyperextended knee after banging knees with a teammate in practice two weeks ago. However, he played 38 minutes in Wednesday’s win over the Utah Jazz finishing with 20 points and 10 assists. He is expected to be in the starting lineup Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Irving prompted Scott’s comments after he told reporters that the only way he would get better would be to sit out the rest of the season. The Cavaliers say that they will continue to monitor Irving’s knee and he will continue to receive treatment. At this point it looks like he is just dealing with ongoing soreness and isn’t risking future injury.

Irving has missed 14 games this season but 11 came due to a finger injury earlier in the season. He is averaging a career-best 23.2 points and 5.7 assists this season and was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star game for the first time.