Kyrie Irving leaves game, returns

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving left Thursday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder after colliding with Russell Westbrook, but returned to start the second half.

Irving crumpled to the floor as his left knee appeared to bend inward after making contact with Westbrook's knee while the Thunder guard was on his descent from a jump shot.

The game was stopped as Irving was surrounded on the floor by the entire Cavs roster and coaching staff before being helped up and off the court to the locker room by Anderson Varejao and team trainer Steve Spiro with 1:31 remaining in the first half.

Irving was diagnosed with a left knee contusion at halftime, but emerged from the locker room with his team for second-half warm-ups, when he was greeted with well-wishes from several members of the Thunder as he took practice shots, jumped in place and ran sprints from the baseline to half court.