LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers takes a selfie with young fans during a timeout in the second half of a pre-season game on October 7, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio (AFP Photo/Joe Robbins)
LOS ANGELES, October 27 – LeBron James said Monday he will be fit to play in Cleveland’s season-opener with the Chicago Bulls after overcoming a niggling back problem.
The Cavaliers superstar has missed roughly a fortnight of practice after receiving anti-inflammatory injections on his lower back.
However James has practised for the past two days and said he will be back on court on Tuesday as he looks to extend his record of playing in every season-opener since 2003.
“I’m ready to go … we’re not going to put too much on the first game of the season,” James told reporters.
“We’ve put in a lot of work over the last few weeks, and you can only try to get healthy, work your habits, work your rhythm and our last few practices have been very good.”
Cleveland coach David Blatt hinted meanwhile that James be eased back into the fray as he sets out on another grueling campaign.
“We’ll be cautious, and careful, and not overplay him,” Blatt said.
Meanwhile, Chicago point guard Derrick Rose also confirmed he is fit to play after missing most of the club’s pre-season with a fractured left orbital bone.
Rose played in an exhibition for the Bulls on Friday and has been wearing a protective mask.
