According to a report from Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, J.R. Smith and head coach Tyronn Lue will be available for Monday’s nationally-televised game against the Golden State Warriors.
Smith, now 32 years of age, was held out of Thursday night’s 115-112 win over the Chicago Bulls due to a spat of knee soreness. Coach Lue was dealing with an illness, so he was a late scratch on Thursday as well. However, Vardon reports that both Lue and Smith were at the Cavs’ team practice on Saturday morning.
In his 32 games played for the Cavs this season, Smith has turned in averages of 7.8 points on 38.4 percent shooting from the field (35.3 percent from beyond the arc), 3.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
The Warriors, winners in 11 straight games, have dealt with several injuries this season, but they seem to be getting healthy. Their All-Star point guard, Stephen Curry, is expected to be held out against the Cavs, as he’s still recovering from an ankle sprain. Draymond Green recently missed four games due to a shoulder injury, but the former Michigan State Spartan was able to re-join his teammates for Golden State’s 113-106 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Power forward Zaza Pachulia has missed six consecutive games due to soreness in his left shoulder and is questionable for Saturday night’s match-up against the Denver Nuggets.
Monday’s Cavs-Warriors game is slated for a 3:00 p.m. EST tip — an early start, to be sure. Fans can catch all of the action live on ABC.