National Basketball Association

Report: LeBron could return to Cavaliers lineup Tuesday in Phoenix

Published Jan. 12, 2015 6:11 a.m. ET

foxsports

LeBron James could return to the Cleveland Cavaliers' lineup as soon as Tuesday if he has a strong practice Monday, Yahoo Sports reports.

James has missed the past eight games because of knee and back strains, and the Cavaliers have gone 1-7 in that span. As a result of the skid, Cleveland now is back at .500 with a 19-19 record. On Jan. 1, the Cavaliers announced that they expected James would rest for about two weeks.

Cavaliers head coach David Blatt didn't reveal many details, but he also didn't rule out James for Tuesday's game at Phoenix.

"Right now we're in a stage where he is shooting and he is moving," Blatt told Yahoo Sports. "He's running through sets. He still hasn't done live work. [Monday] we will see if we can do that with him."

In 29 games this season, James is averaging 25.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.3 steals.