CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers rookie guard Kyrie Irving is not playing against Chicago because of the flu.
Irving is active for Friday’s game against the Bulls, but the team said he would not play about 45 minutes before tip-off.
Cavs coach Byron Scott said Irving picked up “a bug” during All-Star weekend in Orlando. The 19-year-old did shoot around on the floor of Quicken Loans Arena before the game. He later met with team doctors, who decided it would be best if he didn’t play.
Irving’s illness prevented a matchup with MVP Derrick Rose, who sat out with a toe injury the last time Chicago played in Cleveland.
Irving is averaging 18.5 points and 5.1 assists. He was named the NBA’s rookie of the month for February.
