NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Cavaliers All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving has been cleared to play after missing eight games with a strained left shoulder.
Irving will be active and is expected to play Sunday night against the Hornets. The 21-year-old has been sidelined since March 15, when he hurt his left shoulder in a collision against Toronto. The Cavs said their leading scorer will be inactive for Monday’s game in Atlanta as “he takes the next steps in his recovery.”
Irving was expected to miss at least three weeks with the injury, his latest during a brief NBA career. He missed 11 games earlier this season with a broken index finger and three with a hyperextended knee. The Rookie of the Year in 2012, Irving missed 15 games last season with injuries and he broke his hand during a summer practice.