The top two over that period? Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. And it was a stark contrast to their projected Finals opponents. It was the second lowest three-point shooting average behind just one player, LeBron James, who shot 1-of-19. Upon his return, he struggled through a period of poor three-point shooting up to mid-January at one point going 3-of-22 in a seven game span following the firing of head coach David Blatt. ![]() His return date was stretched into December, leaving Cleveland without its starting point guard for much of the first part of the season. Kyrie Irving’s return from his Finals injury has been difficult at times. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Road to Recovery A fractured left kneecap would sideline Irving for the remainder of the Finals and the first half of the 2015-16 season. Irving had been battling tendonitis in his left knee throughout the playoffs. Irving stopped and dribbled behind the back to shake Thompson, but hit his knee and fell to the ground. Two minutes into overtime, down 102-98, Irving cut on a LeBron screen at the top of the key, defended by Klay Thompson. On the next possession, LeBron James missed a fadeaway three-point attempt, and Iman Shumpert missed the putback, sending the game into overtime. 23 points on 10-of-21 shooting, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals, one turnover, and two blocks arguably one of the better all-around performances of his career. Through four quarters, he had become the complement to LeBron that the Cavaliers had always wanted. ![]() ![]() In one of the most important defensive possessions of his NBA career, Irving had been beat, but gotten just enough of the ball on a chase down block. Fourth Quarter had the Cavaliers a possession away from a 1-0 series lead.
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