In an ugly loss on Monday to San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers also lost LeBron James who injured his neck and upper back in the third quarter. James said he was fine, but Cavaliers considers to put him to rest to avoid further complication.
James took an elbow to his neck as he lost the rebound against David Lee, whose elbow later hit James' upper spine as he landed. The Cavaliers leader fell to the floor and looked in so muc pain for about five minutes before he was carried away to the locker room. According to CBS Sports, neck and spine are sensitive area and a blow to one spot can be devastating.
Further examination showed James was fine, but coach Tyron Lue and Cavaliers management consider the option to put their star players to rest. Speaking to a group of reporters, as reported by USA Today, Lue said that he may get in trouble if he put the star players James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and J.R. Smith in the bench for the last three weeks of the regular seasons. However, he admitted those players are worn down after doing so much for the team.
Following the 103-74 loss against the San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers fell to second seed in the Eastern Conference by half game. Boston Celtics now takes the top position and the regular seasons will come to an end in the second week of April. Cavaliers will play Chicago Bulls on Thursday, March 30 at the United Center, an James said that he is ready to play.
Thursday night game against Chicago Bulls will be the toughest test for Cleveland Cavaliers to regain pride as the defending NBA Champion. This season, Cavaliers never wins against Chicago Bulls since the preseason. Bulls defeated Cavaliers twice in their regular season meeting in December last year and January. Previously in the preseason game on Oct. 14, Bulls defeated James and team 108-118.
Watch how James took the elbow to his neck in the game against San Antonio Spurs below:
