Cavs' Irving misses practice, Blatt 'hopeful' he plays Game 1
A healthy Kyrie Irving is paramount for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they get set to square off with the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Irving, who's battled a strained right foot and tendinitis in his left knee throughout the playoffs, missed practice Saturday, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
Kyrie Irving saw Cavs team doctors on Friday and didn't practice Saturday. Blatt said he remains "hopeful" to have Irving play Game 1
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 16, 2015
"We determined that he’s going to rest and going forward, (he is) day-to-day. We’ll see how he’s feeling and what we can do with it," Blatt said, per Akron Beacon Journal's Marla Ridenour. "We’re very much on top of this obviously and Ky is doing everything he possibly can to get well."
The three-time NBA All-Star has proven that he won't let any pain he's in keep him from seeing the floor. His pride won't allow such a thing.
“I can't do it. Mentally I can't do it,” Irving said when asked by reporters whether he should sit Game 5 of the Cavaliers' second-round series with the Chicago Bulls, per Jason Lloyd of Ohio.com.
“I can't look myself in the mirror and sit on the bench or sit in the locker room while I watch my teammates go out there. I'd rather give 30, 40 percent rather than give none at all. I just literally can't do it.”
Irving averaged 17.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists in a 4-2 series win over the Bulls. His injuries may be getting the best of him, though, as he's only scored over 13 points once in his last four outings.
In 12 career games versus Atlanta, Irving has averaged 22 points and 5.9 assists on 51 percent shooting.