CLEVELAND, Ohio - The truth of the matter is that Kyrie Irving will not be where he wants to be when it comes to his health Thursday, the day Game 1 of the NBA Finals vs. the Golden State Warriors tips off.

"Unless something miraculous happens," Irving answered when asked if he can be 100 percent by Thursday. "Just like I said before, and I'm going to keep saying it, it's a day-by-day thing. Continue to get treatment and do what it takes."

The tendinitis in his left knee hasn't healed in a timely fashion, limiting his participation in practice. Cavs coach David Blatt says he has been forced to hold him out of portions of practice in an effort not to overwork his knee.

"I wouldn't say he's had a setback, but progress has been slow," Blatt revealed.

That's not good news considering from the onset he'll be matched up with electric Warriors guard Stephen Curry. But the three-time All-Star is ready to embrace the challenge.

Irving said nothing will keep him from playing and he's receiving around-the-clock treatment to make sure that holds true. The frustration and disappointment he felt in the Eastern Conference Finals has subsided. Now, he's coping and learning how to play with pain.

His Game 4 performance against the Atlanta Hawks, on virtually one leg, proved that he could still be effective. It was important that he experienced that.

"I feel like I'm in a good place," he said. "I'm just going to continue to do the things necessary in order to prepare my body for The Finals."

No one knows which Kyrie Irving will show up in Oakland, Calif. Not even his coach.

"We're just trying to see where he can get to," Blatt said.

It will be eight days in between games for the Cavaliers. The layoff was needed for guys dealing with nagging injuries, but LeBron James said the team is starting to feel "restless."

For Irving, the layoff not only is buying him time to recover, but it is also allowing him to get some extra homework done on the Warriors. He's using his time wisely.

"These days are very, very important for me, especially going into The Finals," Irving said. "I want to feel as close to my old self as I could. They're very important, but from the flip side as well, preparing for a great team like that, you need as many days as you can."