NBA Notes: LeBron limps off with ankle injury

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James left Wednesday's game against the Detroit Pistons with an injured left ankle and did not return to the court.

"It's sprained pretty good, but nothing serious," James said after Cleveland's 96-73 loss. "You never really know until the next day. But I've had them before, and this is nothing that bad."

James landed awkwardly while being guarded by Tayshaun Prince on a three-point play late in the third quarter. James, a candidate for league MVP, hopped on his right foot, keeping weight off his left foot, and was checked out on the court by Cavaliers athletic trainer Max Benton.

After a timeout, James made a free throw to complete his three-point play and was taken out a second later. He left the court moments later and had X-rays taken. The team said his playing status is day to day.

Cleveland plays host to the New York Knicks today, and the Cavaliers might decide to play it safe by resting James because they can't improve or hurt their position as the fourth-seeded team in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

James had 22 points on 8-of-18 shooting through three quarters.

He wasn't the only casualty.

Cavaliers forward Alan Henderson dislocated a finger on his right hand on a missed dunk in the fourth quarter, and Cleveland center Anderson Varejao was ejected after taking down Rasheed Wallace with a flagrant foul on which the players tumbled to the court and Wallace shouted at Varejao.