LeBron James could miss Cleveland Cavaliers’ opener

LeBron James will miss Cleveland’s preseason finale to rest his sprained left ankle. His status for the Cavaliers’ season opener against Boston is uncertain.

LeBron James will miss the remainder of the preseason as he recovers from a sprained left ankle, Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com reports. James will miss Friday’s preseason finale against the Magic in Orlando, and his status for the Cavaliers’ season-opener against the Celtics on Oct. 17 is uncertain.

James initially sustained the injury during a Cavs practice on Sept. 27. He was initially listed as “day to day” but has been unable to participate in practice or in the Cavs first three preseason games.

He made his preseason debut in a 108-94 loss to the Bulls on Tuesday night. James scored 17 points in the game, but also had eight turnovers and was, in his own words, “off.”

On Wednesday, the soreness in his ankle returned, and the Cavs made the decision to shut James down the rest of the preseason. Under normal circumstances, missing a few preseason games wouldn’t be a big deal. But the Cavaliers are working to integrate several new players into their regular rotation and shifting to a smaller, more mobile starting five this year.

Three-fifths of the Cavs’ projected opening-night lineup is new to the team this year; guards Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade signed as free agents this summer and forward Jae Crowder came over in the trade that sent Kyrie Irving to Boston. A planned shift to a smaller, more athletic starting five, with Kevin Love moving to center, further complicates matters. Due to James’ ankle problems, that personnel group has had practically no time to get used to each other.

And by the time this group builds any continuity, they’ll have another challenge; Isaiah Thomas (hip) is expected to make his season debut in late December or early January.

With James out of the mix, Tyronn Lue will shift J.R. Smith back into the starting lineup against the Magic. Smith recently expressed frustration at having been relegated to a bench role after Wade’s arrival.

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James’ uncertain status also casts doubt on the NBA’s most intriguing opening-night story line: the first meeting between LeBron’s Cavs and their ex-teammate Kyrie Irving. Irving requested a trade from the Cavs this summer to “maximize his own potential,” but creating what some are calling “the NBA’s most personal rivalry” in the process.