LeBron James sits out Friday due to back soreness

After securing their 18th win in 20 games, a convincing victory over the league-best Golden State Warriors on Thursday, the Cleveland Cavaliers were without two of their key players on Friday.

In addition to Kyrie Irving, who's out with a shoulder sprain, the Cavaliers were without LeBron James due to back soreness, according to Ethan Skolnick of Bleacher Report.

Cavaliers head coach David Blatt explained to reporters that it was his call to rest James. Having played Thursday, James will sit on the second night of a back-to-back. 

The Cavaliers are also in the midst of a stretch of seven game in 10 days, so giving James a breather is a smart move.

James scored a season-high 42 points against the Warriors and looked entirely healthy in 36 minutes of action. 

The Cavaliers have played 10 games without James this season, going 2-8. The majority of those absences came during a two-week break for James in January. Since returning, James has flourished, averaging 27.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists while shooting 49.6 percent from the field.

Without Irving and James, Cleveland will turn to Kevin Love to function as the fulcrum of its scorching-hot offense. Love is averaging 16.9 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.