LeBron’s status in limbo vs. Knicks

Cleveland, which was smoked by Detroit on Wednesday, is No. 4 in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The playoff road just got rockier for the Cavs with the latest injury to superstar LeBron James.

This is the third and final meeting of the campaign between the clubs. New York won the two previous contests, as it picked up wins at home and on the road.

The Knicks have won four in a row in this series. New York has won two straight after losing its previous seven at Cleveland.

New York attempts to get back on the winning track this evening. On Monday, Stephen Jackson scored 16 of his team-high 28 points in the second half to lead the Indiana Pacers over the Knicks, 101-82, at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Jamal Crawford ended with 26 points and seven assists in the loss to the Pacers for New York, which had a three game winning streak halted. Eddy Curry finished with 12 points and Steve Francis netted 11 in defeat.

The Knicks are 7-31 on the road this season. They defeated the Boston Celtics, 101-86, on Sunday in the opener of the swing.

Cleveland, meanwhile, had a two-game winning streak halted by a 96-73 loss to the Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Not only did the Cavs lose the game, but James went down with an ankle injury.

James, who had 22 points in the loss, exited the game with less than two minutes to go in the third quarter with a left ankle injury. X-rays taken after the game were negative.

James is listed as doubtful for Thursday’s game, but will most likely miss the contest at Quicken Loans Arena.

The All-Star guard has not missed a game in his young career for the Cavs, who ended a four-game road trip at 2-2.

Cleveland will return to Quicken Loans Arena where they are 29-10 and have won nine straight.