Cavaliers G Irving bruises elbow, returns to game

Cavaliers rookie point guard Kyrie Irving has started the second half after sustaining a bruised right elbow in the second quarter against Boston.

Irving left Tuesday night's game with 3:41 remaining in the period after taking a charge from Paul Pierce. Irving was taken to the locker room and returned to the bench with about two minutes to go, but didn't play the rest of the half.

Irving had five points and three assists in 10 minutes in the first half. He was the No. 1 pick in last year's draft and is the NBA's leading scorer among rookies.