UPDATE: LeBron James returned to the Heat bench at the end of the third quarter but did not enter the game. James re-entered the game to start the fourth quarter. TNT reported that James left the game with cramps, and not because of an ankle injury.
LeBron James left the court late in the third quarter of the Miami Heat's game against the Boston Celtics in the NBA season opener with what appeared to be a right ankle injury, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. It was not apparent how, if at all, James injured his ankle.
Prior to the injury, James was playing at his usual high level, scoring a team-high 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in 26 minutes. James and Celtics captain Paul Pierce led all scorers with 16 points at the break and James grabbed nine first-half rebound. After one quarter, James had scored eight points and had seven rebounds.
Miami currently leads Boston, 87-76, late in the third quarter.
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