Cavaliers' Blatt: Irving's injuries won't jeopardize his future
Despite Kyrie Irving describing himself as only "30 or 40 percent" at the moment, playing through his current injuries won't endanger his future, says Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt.
Irving will play through both a right foot sprain and tendinitis in his left knee in Tuesday's Game 5 against the Chicago Bulls. The All-Star point guard hasn't quite looked like himself, but with the series knotted up 2-2, Cleveland needs all the help it can get.
There is some concern, however, that playing through injuries could jeopardize Irving's long-term health. Irving already has a checkered injury history and has never played more than 75 games in a season.
But Blatt told reporters Tuesday that there's no risk to Irving's future health.
David Blatt says though Kyrie Irving is banged up, the injuries aren't an endangerment to his future.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 12, 2015
The Cavaliers made a tremendous investment in Irving's future by inking him to a five-year max contract last summer. Irving has served as one of Cleveland's centerpieces since being drafted first overall in 2011.
Due to the injuries, Irving has looked noticeably hobbled in Games 3 and 4, posting averages of 11.5 points on 21.7 percent shooting from the field, while allowing his counterpart Derrick Rose to score 61 total points. Irving has largely lacked explosiveness and has noticeably limped at times.