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LeBron James (ankle) remains questionable for season-opener

NBA.com staff reports

— Tonight on TNT: Celtics vs. Cavs (8 ET)

The Cleveland Cavaliers are hours away from tipping off the 2017-18 season. Whether or not LeBron James will be in the lineup at opening tip remains unknown.

James, who has been nursing an ankle injury suffered early in training camp, has been mostly day-to-day for the Cavs as they wrapped up their preseason slate. He played 30 minutes in an Oct. 10 loss to the Chicago Bulls, but was a spectator for the rest of Cleveland’s games.

He did not speak with reporters after participating in today’s shootaround and is listed as questionable vs. Boston tonight.

Yesterday, Cavs guard J.R. Smith sounded confident that James would play in tonight’s game and after today’s shootaround, fellow veteran guard Dwyane Wade expressed similar sentiment. Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com has more:

LeBron James (sprained left ankle) participated in shootaround this morning but remains questionable to play in the 2017-18 season opener against the Boston Celtics.

James, who is entering his 15th season, as never missed opening night. He declined to speak with reporters this morning, after shooting with teammates.

Dwyane Wade added his name to the list of Cavaliers’ personnel who believes James will play tonight, because, well, it’s James and it’s Kyrie Irving and it’s everything in between.

But no one knows.

“We all expect, everyone around expects him to play because that’s what he does,” said Wade, who’s looking to play his first regular-season game on James’ team since the two were with Miami in April, 2014. “But at the same time the decision’s on him. He’s going to make the right decision for what he feels is best for the long haul season.

“We’ve been preparing like he’s going to be in there, we also have to be ready if he’s not. That’s how we have to be.”

Last night, James tweeted that he hoped to be ready to play vs. the Celtics.

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