The Cleveland Cavaliers missed guard J.R. Smith in their 96–86 win over the New York Knicks last Wednesday and he will likely still be out in their next two games due to right knee and leg injuries.
ESPN reported that a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) taken last Tuesday revealed that Smith had a right knee contusion and a quadriceps tendonitis in his right leg.
"Relieved that it's not as serious as it could have been. I'm just anxious for him to rest and rehabilitate and be back as soon as possible," Cavs head coach David Blatt said about Smith's injuries, according to the report.
The injury bug has never left the Cavaliers since last season and now, they need to deal with Smith's temporary absence.
Blatt added that they have been in the same situation before and there are players in the roster who can step up.
Smith has been a reliable scorer for Cleveland since getting traded last season from the New York Knicks, but he has yet to find his offensive groove this season.
In four games played, the 30-year-old guard is averaging 4.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 23 minutes of action per contest.
According to Blatt, Smith sustained the injury after getting tangled with Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel in their game last Monday which the Cavaliers won 107–100.
Despite not having Smith, Cleveland managed to win against the Knicks at the Quicken Loans Arena Wednesday.
Leading the way was four-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) LeBron James who had 23 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists, four steals, and one block.
Veteran playmaker Mo Williams added 22 points, while big men Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson tallied double-double performances.
Love had 11 points with 12 rebounds, while Thompson recorded 10 points and 13 boards.
The Cavaliers will continue their home stand this Friday and will have a rematch with Philadelphia.
