LeBron playing through quad injury Sunday, Smith misses 3rd straight game

The Cleveland Cavaliers are a band of walking wounded just six games into the season, but their hobbled leader will try to tough things out for the time being.

LeBron James, who sat out Saturday's practice with a sore left quad, is playing through the injury Sunday as the Cavs take on the Indiana Pacers.

Meanwhile, J.R. Smith is sitting out a third consecutive game with a right knee bruise, though it's reportedly more for precautionary reasons than for fear of any significant injury.

Smith was slow to get off the block this season, averaging 4.8 points while shooting 27.6 percent from the field and 14.3 percent from 3-point range through the Cavs' first four games. James, who's yet to miss a game, has played like himself (aside from an ugly 5-of-23 mark from beyond the arc), averaging 23.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 2.5 steals.

The Cavs have won five straight since dropping their season opener to the Chicago Bulls.