Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving: Practices Saturday

Irving (calf) returned to full practice Saturday.

Analysis:

Irving departed Tuesday's preseason game against the Wizards and was subsequently held out of practices Thursday and Friday due to what the team called soreness in his left calf. The point guard revealed that the discomfort stemmed from a pregame "needling" procedure on the calf, but it doesn't look to be anything of concern. Barring some sort of unforeseen setback, Irving will start Tuesday's season opener against the Knicks. He could be asked to take on heavy minutes with rookie Kay Felder -- the only other point guard on the roster -- in the concussion protocol and uncertain to be available for the opener.