LeBron James sits out for birthday, misses game vs. Hawks

Dec 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters (3) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Shawn Marion (31) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) sit on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Quicken Loans Arena. The Pistons won 103-80. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters (3) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Shawn Marion (31) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) sit on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Quicken Loans Arena. The Pistons won 103-80. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James will miss tonight’s game against the Hawks due to a sore knee, on his 30th birthday.

Tonight in Atlanta, the Cleveland Cavaliers won’t be able to celebrate the birthday of their king the way they imagined. LeBron James will be forced out of action due to a sore knee for tonight’s matchup against the Southeastern Division leading Hawks.

According to Ethan Skolnick of Bleacher Report, it’s James’ left knee that is ailing him and was initially injured due to the jump into the Miami crowd on Christmas Day.

Cavs head coach David Blatt revealed that James is considered day to day because they want to “get him right.”

The mega-star is turning the ripe-old age of 30 tonight.

His absence also comes during a time of slight turbulence in the land of the Cavs. Recently, reports have surfaced that there has been a disconnect with Blatt and his players.

Following their embarrassing home-blowout loss against the terrible Detroit Pistons Sunday night, Blatt was asked if he still had his team’s attention.

Via ESPN:

"“Absolutely I do,” Blatt said. “We just didn’t play well (Sunday). I don’t think it was an issue outside of that. A couple games ago we were (17-10). I know some other pretty good teams in the NBA that didn’t have that record.“We have not played perfectly this year, I don’t claim that. On the other hand, we’re doing pretty good. We lost a couple games, we’re down a few of our main players and last night did not look good and we did not respond well to it during the game. I recognize that. And certainly when that happens I’m every bit as much a part of that as everybody else, but it has nothing to do with questions along the lines of what I’ve heard. I just don’t think that’s right or fair. I really don’t.”"

While 18-12 isn’t something to be ashamed of by any stretch, James will never accept this type of mediocrity. It’s obvious something’s brewing in Cleveland, and if playing tonight without the best athlete on the face of the earth doesn’t grab the players attention, then nothing will.

Attention David Blatt: you are now officially on full notice.

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