LeBron James practiced with a broken nose on Tuesday for the first time since sustaining the injury, and the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player is eyeing a return on Thursday when the Heat host the Knicks in Miami.
According to ESPN, James didn't partake in the full-contact scrimmages due to the fact that he didn't have a mask to protect his nose; however he has been fitted for one and is expected to wear it during the game against the Knicks if he plays.
"Every day is better," James said of the injury after practice, according to ESPN. "It's getting better, but I haven't been hit on it, either. It's too soon, but I think I should be fine enough to go on Thursday. It's only Tuesday, so we've got a lot of time."
James suffered the injury when he was driving to the hoop for a dunk in last Thursday's 103-81 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder and he was struck in the face by Serge Ibaka. James left the game and was eventually diagnosed with a broken nose following an X-ray. James had a small procedure done to correct it.
James missed a game for just the second time this season when the Heat topped the Chicago Bulls 93-79 on Sunday to open up their four-game homestand.
According to ESPN, James will test the mask during Wednesday's practice and then be evaluated afterwards to figure out whether or not he's good to go for Thursday's clash with the Knicks. James has worn a mask previously in his career when he broke a cheek bone.
James didn't enjoy the experience.
"It's a difficult challenge ... it feels like something, someone has a hand constantly in your face," James said per ESPN. "It's like an added defender you don't want."
James had been firing on all cylinders before the injury while the Heat have won eight of their last nine games and are just 1.5 games back from the Indiana Pacers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Despite the injury, James' teammates have said that he looks unaffected in practice.
"He [looked] the same," Chris Bosh told ESPN. "He can break anything and he'll look the same. That's why he's LeBron. There was no mask today. So it'll be a surprise to everybody once we see it."
James said he'll know for sure after Wednesday if he'll be good to go on Thursday.
"When we go full-contact, it's like a game," James said of anticipating Wednesday's practice via ESPN. "We go at it. We've got an alpha male team. It was non-contact for me, but it was contact for the rest of those guys. I'm not ready for contact just now."
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