Sports

Heat star James says ankle sore _ but he's fine

October 27, 2012 | Modified: October 27, 2012 at 5:17 pm
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Miami Heat forward LeBron James, center, holds an icepack to his head as he sits ont he bench during the fourth quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Hornets, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012 in Miami. James and Austin Rivers left the game after scary falls in the third quarter. James appeared to escape relatively unscathed, after getting an inadvertent foot in the face from Hornets' center Robin Lopez as they jostled for a rebound. The Hornets defeated the Heat 96-89. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

MIAMI (AP) — LeBron James' twisted right ankle remained sore Saturday, though not enough for the reigning NBA MVP to be concerned about his status for Miami's season-opener against the Boston Celtics.

James was shaken up twice in the Heat's preseason finale Friday night, first when he turned the ankle in the game's opening minutes, then in the third quarter when he was inadvertently kicked in the face by New Orleans center Robin Lopez.

James was planning to get treatment for the ankle over the next couple days. He said he had no lingering aftereffects of the kick, which happened as he and Lopez jostled for a rebound.

The Heat open their title defense Tuesday against Boston. Miami got its roster down to the 15-player maximum on Saturday by waiving guard Garrett Temple.