National Basketball Association

Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith is out against Hornets

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:51 p.m. ET

foxsports

CLEVELAND (AP) Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith is out against the Charlotte Hornets because of a sore right ankle.

The Cavaliers said Smith tweaked the ankle Friday night against Washington. Mike Dunleavy will start at shooting guard Sunday for the defending champions, who are 7-1 and have the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Smith is averaging 10.5 points and had made 36 percent of his 3-point attempts. Dunleavy, who is starting for the first time this season, is 7 of 23 from the 3-point line and is averaging 4.4 points.