Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving, left, gets off a pass to Anderson Varejao, right, of Brazil, as he runs into Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Love in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013, in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves won 124-95. Irving led the Cavaliers with 20 points. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) (The Associated Press)
CLEVELAND – Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving has been diagnosed with a minimally displaced right nasal fracture and is available to play in Cleveland's game against Charlotte.
Irving was elbowed in the face by Minnesota's Corey Brewer in the first quarter Wednesday night. The All-Star was taken for X-rays, which came back negative, and returned in the second quarter. The team said further examination at Cleveland Clinic on Thursday and Friday revealed the fracture.
Irving, who is averaging 19.4 points and 6.9 assists, fractured a bone in his jaw last season but was fitted with a mask and continued to play.
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