CLEVELAND — Cavaliers superstar LeBron James will play Friday night against the Indiana Pacers despite battling a head cold.
James was sick and didn't attend the Cavs' morning shootaround. He was questionable until an hour before tip-off when the Cavs announced he will start.
Coach David Blatt said James has the typical "achy" symptoms.
James has missed 11 games this season with a variety of injuries. He sat out two weeks to rest a sore left knee and lower back. The four-time league MVP is averaging 25.8 points, 7.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds.
The Cavs were just 19-20 on Jan. 15, but have gone 25-6 since and currently have the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Indiana has beaten Cleveland twice this season, but James and All-Star guard Kyrie Irving didn't play in one of those matchups.
Cleveland has won 14 straight at home.
LeBron to play against Pacers despite cold
Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James celebrates after hitting a 3--point shot against the San Antonio Spurs during overtime of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio. Cleveland won 128-125. AP/Eric Gay