The Cleveland Cavaliers are up 3-0 on the short-handed Atlanta Hawks and have an opportunity to win the Eastern Conference on Tuesday night. Barring a collapse of never before seen proportions, LeBron James and company will play in the NBA Finals – whether they win Game 4 or otherwise.
There’s no reason to play a hobbled Kyrie Irving then, right? Perhaps, but the three-time All-Star may suit up for Tuesday’s elimination contest regardless.
Yahoo Sports‘ Marc Spears first reported that there is a chance Irving plays in Game 4.
There is growing optimism that Cavs guard Kyrie Irving (knee) will play tonight after missing past two East Finals games, sources told Y!
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) May 26, 2015
Two hours later, Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group noted that the 23-year-old is a game-time decision against Atlanta.
#Cavs G Kyrie Irving (knee) is a game time decision tonight for Game 4 of ECF against Hawks. He will go through pregame warmup.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 26, 2015
Irving has missed the previous two games of the Eastern Conference Finals after knee tendonitis flared up in Game 1. Though his status for Sunday’s matchup was up in the air in the just an hour before game time, Cleveland ultimately decided to hold him out despite the fruits of an altered treatment plan.
The Cavaliers and Hawks tipoff at 8:30 EST on TNT.
