Depending on whom is answering the question, Miami Heat forward LeBron James might or might not have dislocated his left ring finger during Monday's 105-90 loss at the Indiana Pacers.
By Michael Conroy, AP
A Miami Heat team trainer tapes forward LeBron James' left ring finger during Monday's game against the Indiana Pacers. James said he dislocated the finger. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he did not.
James told reporters Wednesday he dislocated it and popped the finger back into place. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said James didn't dislocate it.
This much is true: An X-ray revealed no break, and James will play Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks.
James was hurt in the first quarter Monday. He had the finger taped and returned to the game, finishing with 24 points, nine rebounds and six turnovers.
No one thought twice about it, suspecting it was just a jammed finger.
However, an unnamed person told ESPN that James dislocated the finger. A person who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about injuries told USA TODAY that James did not have the finger examined until he returned to Miami on Tuesday.
James has had a rough stretch. He had a forceful collision with Phoenix Suns forward Grant Hill in Miami's March 20 victory, and then the finger. Both James and Spoelstra nixed the idea of giving the two-time MVP a game off.
Miami is more concerned with its play, struggling in March at 8-6. The Heat have lost two games in a row three times this month. Three of the four losses were by a combined 11 points.
But the last two losses are reason for mild concern — to Indiana and 103-87 to the Oklahoma City Thunder were by double-digit margins that were all but decided before the final three minutes of the game.
In both games, the Heat allowed a strong percentage on three-pointers. The Pacers made 6-of-11 (54.5%), and the Thunder made 10-of-18 (55.6%).
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