Cleveland Cavaliers vs Los Angeles Clippers, December 1, 2016

Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (L) tries to steal the ball from a driving LA Clippers guard J.J. Redick in the first quarter, December 1, 2016, at Quicken Loans Arena. John Kuntz, cleveland.com

(John Kuntz)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- J.R. Smith is battling a sore left knee, he told cleveland.com after a 113-94 Cavs loss to the Los Angees Clippers Thursday night.

Smith, who scored just three points on 1-of-3 shooting, sat in his locker after the game with his left knee heavily wrapped in ice. He also limped across the court Wednesday to speak to reporters after practice.

"There's nothing I can do about it right now because I don't want to get an MRI," Smith said.

Smith is stuck in a 4-of-32 shooting slump. Against the Clippers, Smith was shredded by J.J. Redick (23 points, 21 in the first half) and was whistled for five fouls. Smith said he is sometimes bothered by the knee on the court, but didn't offer it as an excuse for his recent struggles.

Also, as of Friday morning, Smith was not listed on the injury report for the game against Chicago. But that could change. Coach Tyronn Lue said all players, save for Mike Dunleavy (concussion protocol) would be available to play the Bulls Friday.

Smith, 31, missed the entire preseason negotiating his four-year, $57 million contract. He's arguably suffering through his worst season on the court, averaging 8.1 points (second-lowest of his career), shooting 30 percent overall (career worst) and 32.7 percent from 3-point range (second worst). Smith also missed three games last month with an ankle injury.

He made his first 3-pointer to open the game Thursday night, and afterwards Lue said "I could have did a better job of running some things for him to try to get him involved, especially when they're switching the way they switched.

"Tonight he didn't struggle," Lue said. "He made his first shot and then didn't really get a chance to get him in a rhythm."