Cavs guard Irving ready to return

(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

By TOM WITHERS

CLEVELAND (AP) Cavaliers star point guard Kyrie Irving has been cleared to practice after missing 10 games with a broken finger.

Irving has been sidelined since breaking his left index finger in a Nov. 18 game against Philadelphia. He played in Cleveland's following game before medical tests revealed a non-displaced fracture. Irving is practicing Monday and the Cavs expect him to play Tuesday night, when Cleveland hosts the Los Angeles Lakers. Irving had been expected to miss four weeks with the injury.

The Cavs went just 2-9 without Irving, the NBA's reigning rookie of the year. Cleveland has also been missing rookie Dion Waiters, their second leading scorer. He has been sidelined with a sprained ankle.

The rebuilding Cavs are just 4-17 and have lost five straight.

Updated December 10, 2012