Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving returns after knee injury scare

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving was helped off the court Thursday after injuring his left knee during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Irving returned for warmups before the second half and opened the third quarter with a floater layup, appearing to be fine.

Irving leaped to contest a jump shot from Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook but landed awkwardly on the side of his left foot. He crumpled to the court grabbing his knee immediately.

The injury occurred with 1 minute, 31 seconds left in the second quarter. He left the court, helped by a trainer and teammate Anderson Varejao but able to put weight on his leg tentatively.

The Cavaliers already were without star small forward LeBron James because of left knee soreness. They entered the game on an eight-game winning streak.

Irving entered the game averaging 20.8 points, 5.1 assists and 1.7 steals a game, shooting career-bests 47.7% from the field and 40.6% on three-pointers. The two-time All-Star has missed time with a variety of injuries in the past, including a bruised left knee that kept him out of three games last year.