National Basketball Association

Cavaliers' Irving, Waiters remain out

Published Dec. 9, 2012 1:01 a.m. ET

foxsports

Cavaliers coach Byron Scott is hopeful Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters can play in Cleveland's next game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, but said neither has been cleared by doctors to return.

Cleveland played without its starting backcourt and two leading scorers again on Saturday against Detroit. Irving, who hasn't played since Nov. 21, has missed 11 straight games with a broken left index finger. Waiters, the No. 4 pick in the draft, has missed the last four games with a sprained left ankle. He last played on Dec. 1.

The Cavaliers, who took a 4-16 record into Saturday, have struggled offensively without the two guards. Scott said he hopes one or both can play Tuesday, but both would have to complete a full practice session before returning. Scott noted the Cavaliers play four games in five nights next week and will have limited practice time.

''There's always a chance for both of them,'' Scott said. ''Watching Dion (Saturday), I'm not sure and Kyrie, we've still got to wait for the doctors to check him out. Right now, Tuesday, I'd say we've got to go with what we have. It would be a nice surprise to have one or both of them back.''

Irving, the reigning Rookie of the Year, is averaging 22.9 points. The team estimated at the time of the injury he would miss four weeks. Waiters, who scores 15.2 points a game, has been listed as day-to-day.