Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving is doubtful to play in the season opener against the Chicago Bulls, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and might be held out until January. It was reported Irving was originally given a 3-4 months time table for recovery, but Cleveland has to be catious with its 23-year-old star given his injury history.

Irving was limited against the Bulls and Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs last year, but returned to play 44 minutes in Game 1 of the finals. Irving injured his knee cap at the start of overtime and did not play again. He ended up having knee surgery in June. The Cavaliers lost the Finals in six games without Irving and former All-Star Kevin Love in the lineup. 

Multiple league sources say his rehabilitation is going smoothly, but that the chances are slim of him being in the opening-night lineup against Chicago on October 27. 

Irving is likely end up missing a huge chunk of the regular season, making the Cavaliers signing of veteran Mo Williams more important to the team's success, as he should step into the starting lineup with Irving out due to his injury. Matthew Dellavedova should get extended minutes as the backup point guard as well. 

At basketball camp in July, Irving said, "I'm honestly not putting a date on anything. People are going to put a date regardless. I'm just continuing to be on the journey I've been on, and that's continuing to get better every single day and rehabbing my leg."

The approach here for the Cavaliers is to bring Irving back slowly without risking a setback and to have him fully ready by the start of the playoffs.

Irving has not played a full 82-game season in his career, enduring many minor injuries, but he played in 75 games last season which was a career-high in games played for him.

Last year, Irving was an All-Star and was awarded third team All-NBA. He averaged 21.7 points, 5.2 assists, and shot a career-high 41.5 percent from beyond the arc. He also had two 50-point games against the then-defending champions San Antonio Spurs and the Portland Trail Blazers.