James back in the lineup for Cavs

(AP)
Updated: 2007-04-04 08:40

King James returns.

LeBron James was back in the lineup for Cleveland's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night after missing one game with tendinitis in his right knee.

James missed Sunday's loss to the Boston Celtics, but said his knee felt good enough to go against the Wolves.

"I'm not 100 percent, but I do feel pretty good," James said before the game.

He received treatment on Monday and met with doctors and team trainers after the morning shootaround on Tuesday before deciding to play.

Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said there was "significant" swelling in James' knee after tendinitis flared up over the weekend, and the Cavs were going to be careful with their star as the playoffs approach.

"That's our $100-million man," Brown said. "He has a lot to say in it, but we can't just go on his opinion and his opinion only."

The tendinitis has been about the only thing that has been able slow James down since the All-Star break. He was named Eastern Conference player of the month on Monday after averaging 30.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.0 assists in March.

The Cavs went 11-5 last month, which included a victory over conference-leading Detroit on March 7 in which James had a season-high 41 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. He also scored 39 points in a win over Chicago on Saturday before resting against the Celtics.

James is averaging 27.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists for the Cavaliers, who started the night 3 1/2 games behind Detroit for the top seed in the East.

His knee injury has caused considerable concern as the playoffs approach, with some worrying that he was wearing down after spending all last summer playing for the United States in the world championships.

Timberwolves star Kevin Garnett knows about the demands of international play and said he sympathizes with the stress on James' body from all that basketball.

"Absolutely," Garnett said. "Especially when you have the responsibility of carrying a team, taking the bulk of the shots, making other guys better, absolutely."



Top Sports News  
Today's Top News  
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours