Irving partially practices, Blatt says he's still not himself
Kyrie Irving has been battling tendinitis in his left knee and a sprained right foot that cost him two of the four games of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Cleveland Cavaliers point guard took part in a portion of practice Sunday, but the bad news is that he's not 100 percent yet, according to head coach David Blatt.
Kyrie Irving took part in some of today's practice. David Blatt says he's still not himself yet.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 31, 2015
Of course, a player being 100 percent at this time of the NBA season is usually a phantom thing, but the Cavs will need Irving in as good as shape as possible for the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
Irving played 22 minutes in Cleveland's Eastern Conference-clinching blowout against the Atlanta Hawks last Tuesday, returning from a two-game absence. It has been clear in several postseason games that his explosiveness has been limited by the leg issues.
While the Cavaliers were able to beat the Hawks and the Chicago Bulls without a healthy Irving, it becomes a taller order against the Warriors. Much has been made of LeBron James' career-playoff high 36.4 percent usage rate this postseason, something we can expect to see continue in the Finals.
By Thursday's tip, Irving and the Cavs will have had eight days off between games.