OKLAHOMA CITY -- Cleveland guard Kyrie Irving left the Cavaliers game against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of a left knee contusion, then returned to start the second half Thursday night.
With 1:31 left in the second quarter, Irving jumped to contest a shot by Russell Westbrook, and his knee connected with Westbrook's knee on the way down. Irving clutched his knee, then was helped off the court.
Irving entered the game as Cleveland's No. 2 scorer with 20.8 points per contest. He was last season's All-Star game MVP.
The Cavaliers already were without LeBron James, who missed the game with soreness in his left knee.