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CLEVELAND -- President Bush wasn't the only notable figure at the Cleveland Clinic on Thursday. LeBron James needed another checkup.

	LeBron James Small Forward Cleveland Cavaliers Profile
	2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT% 41 25.0 7.4 7.6 .497 .739

James underwent further medical tests on his sprained left ankle, which is not as badly hurt as it looked when the Cavaliers star crumpled to the floor in the fourth quarter Wednesday night. James traveled with his teammates to New York but was not expected to play Friday night against the Knicks.

"From the looks of things, I doubt very seriously if he'll play tomorrow," coach Paul Silas said. "We were hoping and praying that it wasn't anything serious."

About the same time Bush was pitching his health agenda during a forum at the hospital, James had a thorough examination which did not reveal any more damage to his ankle.

He'll be re-evaluated by trainer Max Benton on Friday and is currently listed as a game-time decision on the team's injury report. He came down on the foot of Memphis forward Dahntay Jones and rolled his ankle with 9:33 remaining on Wednesday night.

"You kind of see your life pass before your eyes," Silas said.

While the Cavaliers got good news on James, they learned that starting forward Ira Newble will be out at least one week with an Achilles injury. The club is already thin up front with forward Anderson Varejao sidelined for at least one month with a high ankle sprain.

The Cavaliers are looking to sign a veteran forward to a 10-day contract.

After hobbling off the floor assisted by teammates, James limped back for the final 4:53 to help the Cavaliers close out a 114-111 win over the Grizzlies.

James usually draws comparisons to Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Julius "Dr. J." Erving. On this night, the 20-year-old had a little Willis Reed in his game. Reed inspired the Knicks by limping onto the court in the 1970 NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

It looked as if James had taken his last shot for a while when he twisted the ankle. He immediately grabbed it and rolled around, slapping his hand against the floor several times only a few feet from where he had his left cheekbone broken by an accidental elbow from Houston's Dikembe Mutombo last month.

"It hurt, but I knew it wasn't as bad as last year," James said referring to a right ankle sprain that sidelined him for three games last January. "I couldn't even walk last year, so I don't think this one is as bad."

James, who's averaging 27.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists in his last nine games, felt good enough after leaving the floor to put pressure on the tender ankle before getting to the locker room. Once there, he watched the game on TV as his ankle was re-taped. Then, it was time to get back to work.

The Cavaliers were leading 103-97 and in a timeout when James jogged back to the Cavs' bench to a thunderous ovation, plopped himself down in a seat and told a stunned Silas that he was ready to go.

"I was just trying to figure out who I was going to play," said Silas, who had a "bunch of losses" flash before his eyes before his star's sudden return. "I was glad to see him come back."

So, too, were the 17,057 fans in Gund Arena, who had let out a collective gasp when James went down.

Although by his estimation he was only at "75 percent," James was determined to get back to help his teammates. Simply, he wouldn't let them lose.

James, who just missed his third triple-double in a week with 27 points, a career-high 15 assists and nine rebounds, had an impact almost as soon as he returned. He grabbed a rebound, drove the length of the floor for a layup -- off the wrong foot -- and added a steal and his 15th assist as the Cavaliers held on.

"Just my presence on the court helped us get the win," he said.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press