LeBron James has said that he found wearing a mask to protect his broken nose during practice with the Miami Heat "uncomfortable".

The forward sustained the injury during the team's win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in a collision with Serge Ibaka earlier this month.

The league's reigning MVP told ESPN: "It's still uncomfortable, but I still have to wear it. It gets hot under there, and it fogs up. But I've worn one before. I've been hit before, but it lessens the impact, it definitely lessens the pain.

"It is frustrating, but I wore it throughout practice, throughout contact drills and throughout shooting drills, just to get some rhythm with it. And I'll get some more rhythm with it [Thursday]. During timeouts, in the past, I've just dried it off and wiped it down. Then I'll just go on from there."

James is expected to return to action during the Heat's game against the New York Knicks later today.

Written by
Sian Cowper