LeBron James misses Cavaliers’ game Thursday because of sore knee

LeBron James is sitting out the Cleveland Cavaliers’ game at Oklahoma City because of a sore left knee.

Cleveland Coach David Blatt announced the decision Thursday night during his pregame media session.

James has averaged 24.9 points, 9.0 assists and 4.9 rebounds during Cleveland’s eight-game winning streak, helping the Cavaliers climb to the top of the Central Division. He entered the day fourth in the NBA in scoring at 24.8 points and second in minutes at 38 a game.

James played in all 20 of Cleveland’s previous games this season.

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The Philadelphia 76ers acquired veteran forward Andrei Kirilenko, a second-round pick in the 2020 draft, guard Jorge Gutierrez and cash considerations from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for forward Brandon Davies.

The 76ers also received the right to swap Cleveland’s second round pick in 2018 (which Philadelphia acquired during the off-season) with Brooklyn’s own second round pick that year.

Kirilenko is in 13th NBA season and was originally the 24th overall pick by Utah in the 1999 NBA draft, spending his first 10 seasons with the Jazz. Kirilenko is averaging 12 points, six rebounds and three assists per game over his career.

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Former Phoenix Suns forward Richard Dumas pleaded guilty to two counts of theft after being accused of stealing merchandise from an exchange store. Maricopa County prosecutors said Dumas, 45, entered his plea Thursday. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 20.

Authorities said Dumas stole about $800 worth of merchandise from the Luke Air Force Base’s exchange store while working with a janitorial service in 2012.