Kyrie Irving missed the Boston Celtics' Wednesday night game against the Sacramento Kings due to a thigh bruise. However, the injury isn't going to keep him out for long.
According to NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg, Irving practiced on Friday and is expected to suit up for the Celtics' next game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Celtics have actually been surprisingly good without Irving in the lineup, as they have posted an 11-2 record in games that he has missed. Still, the team's net rating is much better with Irving on the floor, so having him back and healthy is ideal.
With Irving returning to the starting lineup, that will push Terry Rozier back to the bench. Against the Kings, Rozier started and logged 16 points, six rebounds, and two assists across 32 minutes of playing time. That represented the sixth-highest minute total he put up in a game this season.
Saturday's contest will mark the second time that Irving has squared off against LeBron James since James left Cleveland for Los Angeles. In the first meeting, the Lakers won by a single point on a Rajon Rondo buzzer beater. James and Irving led their respective teams in scoring.
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