NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers expect James to miss two weeks with sore knee

Cleveland: Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James is expected to miss the next two weeks of the NBA season with a strained left knee and lower back, the team announced Thursday.

James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, was evaluated by team doctor Richard Parker on Wednesday at the Cleveland Clinic and subjected James to a physical, radiograph and MRI exam that uncovered the extent of his injuries.

James has missed the past two games for the Cavaliers, who are on a three-game losing skid and second in the Central division at 18-14. The Cavaliers said James will address his injuries with anti-inflammatories, rehabilitation, training room treatments and rest.

Barring a surprise early return, James will miss seven games for the Cavaliers, starting with a Friday game at Charlotte and including a Sunday home game with Dallas, a Monday trip to Philadelphia, next Wednesday's home game against Houston and the start of a Western Conference road trip that opens with games January 9 at league-leading Golden State, January 11 at Sacramento and January 13 at Phoenix.

But it could set the stage for James to make his return January 15 and 16 in Los Angeles, when the Cavaliers play the Lakers and Clippers on consecutive nights.