Kyrie Irving

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving grabs his left knee during the second half on Christmas Day in Miami.

(Lynne Sladky)

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving expects to play Tuesday night against the Atlanta Hawks after missing the past two games with a "bone bruise" on his left knee.

"He practiced well today and hopefully his knee will respond tomorrow and we'll see him out there," Cleveland coach David Blatt said following Monday's practice.

Irving initially hurt his knee on Dec. 11 in Oklahoma City and re-aggravated the injury in a Christmas Day loss to the Miami Heat.

Irving told the Northeast Ohio Media Group after the loss to the Heat that he was "fine" and didn't expect to miss any time. But on Monday he said he needed to "put my pride aside" and rest the injury.

"I wanted to play the last two games," Irving said. "It's me just putting my pride aside and resting. Against Orlando and Detroit, teams I felt like we had a great chance against, and our coaching staff didn't mind, so, just wanted to sit down and rest it."

The Cavaliers did beat the Orlando Magic Friday without Irving, but on Sunday were crushed by 23 points at home by the Detroit Pistons.

Irving, a two-time All-Star, is averaging 20.6 points and 5.8 assists this season.