LeBron leaves game after collision

James suffered a peri-orbital contusion on the left side of his face when he ran into Mutombo in the lane with 1:53 remaining in the second quarter.

Mutombo’s elbow inadvertently caught the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year in the eye, and James had to be helped off the court and to the locker room. He did not return.

Cleveland ended up losing the game 98-87.

"When you lose your best player, its always tough," Cavs coach Paul Silas said. "We just didn’t have enough fire power out there."

James entered Wednesday’s action averaging 25.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game this season. He scored a career-low three points in 17 minutes against the Rockets.

With 2,362 points, James is the highest-scoring teenager in NBA history. He will celebrate his 20th birthday on Thursday.

James is expected to undergo further tests. The Cavaliers have four days off until a game in Charlotte on January 3.