LeBron James

Superstar forward James tweaked the injury he sustained in a training camp during the Cavs' 108-94 defeat to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.

The 13-time NBA All-Star will consequently sit out Friday's meeting with the Orlando Magic.

"He didn't practice today. He's experienced soreness so he won't practice tomorrow, he won't play on Friday either, so [he's] pretty mad, pretty p****d off but it is what it is," head coach Tyronn Lue said.

The short-sided format was added to the Olympic schedule last week, along with mixed relay races on the track and in the pool and BMX Freestyle.

Though happy with the move, it does not mean the Cleveland Cavaliers star will represent Team USA in Tokyo.

"I think it's great for basketball," James is quoted by ESPN. "For us to be able to add another category to the Olympics, another basketball category, I think it's pretty great.

"I'm not very good in a three-on-three thing, I'm more of a five-on-five guy.

Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron and four-time MVP James needs 28 to surpass Jordan's 5,987 postseason points – the NBA record.

"It's just a personal goal of mine," James told reporters on Thursday. "It has nothing to do with passing the rings, passing the points, passing MVPs. It's just my personal goal to keep me motivated — that's all."

Despite a terrible game three against the Boston Celtics that saw James score only 11 points, the three-time champion is averaging 32.3 points per game this postseason after the Cavs took a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

Los Angeles Lakers great Abdul-Jabbar scored 5,762 points in 237 career playoff games.

A three-pointer with eight minutes, 41 seconds remaining in the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday moved James past Abdul-Jabbar and only Michael Jordan has more with 5,987 points in 179 games.

Wednesday was the 205th playoff game for James, who entered the night 24 points behind Abdul-Jabbar.

Ever since James was dunking on fellow teenagers, pundits have been linking the superstar to Jordan, but it may not be an apt comparison after all.

James, speaking ahead of Thursday's game against the Boston Celtics, poured water on the hype linking him to the great Bulls legend who won six NBA championships.

"No, [Jordan] was much more of a scorer, at that point did a lot of post work, but our games are just different," James said via Cavs.com .

The Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Finals, defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Sunday's deciding Game 7.

This is the first major sports championship that a Cleveland team has won since 1964.

In perhaps the biggest game of his career, LeBron James had the game of his life.

Ali, who died Saturday (AEST) at age 74, was recalled for his sacrifices and struggles for social justice, as well as his boxing career, by the two giants of the NBA.

The late boxer lost three prime years of his career for his stand against fighting in the Vietnam War before the US Supreme Court vindicated him in 1971.

"When an icon like Muhammad Ali passes away, it's just very emotional," James said.

"It's also gratifying to know that guy, one man, will sacrifice so much of his life knowing it will better the next generation of men and women after him."

It is believed to be the first lifetime deal in the shoe and apparel company's 44-year history, although it's assumed that Michael Jordan has at least a de facto agreement for life.

A source close to the deal told ESPN that James' contract easily surpasses the 10-year, $450 million deal Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant signed with Nike last year.