Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving says he fully expects to play Friday in New Orleans after suffering a left knee contusion in Thursday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Irving says he felt his knee buckle when he banged his left leg on Russell Westbrook and landed awkwardly in the second quarter.

But according to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal, the point guard said while he expects his knee to stiffen up overnight, he doesn't believe it will keep him out of the lineup against the Pelicans.

It is still reasonable to assume the Cavaliers may rest Irving.

Irving returned to the Oklahoma City game after halftime after being examined by the opponent's doctor, and finished with 20 points and six assists in the Cavs' 103-94 loss sans-LeBron James.