CLEVELAND (AP) Cavaliers rookie LeBron James returned to the starting lineup Monday night against Orlando after missing three games with a sprained right ankle.

James, who hadn't played since rolling his ankle in a Jan. 17 game at Utah, didn't decide to play until after shooting around about an hour before tipoff.

He didn't initially accompany his teammates onto the floor as they came out for warmups, but then ran in from the Cavs' locker room about 15 minutes before game time.

The Cavaliers went 2-1 without James, their first-year star and leading scorer. The 6-foot-8, 240-pounder favored his ankle during the morning shootaround, but seemed to be moving much better while warming up to face the Magic.

The 19-year-old said he would stay out until his ankle was 100 percent. He had been limited to just shooting this past week before taking part in a full practice on Sunday.

Coach Paul Silas said James had to overcome more than just soreness and swelling in his ankle before returning.

``I think it's more of a mental thing with this thing more than anything else right now,'' Silas said. ``But we want him to be 100 percent and don't want him to take any chances.''

James is averaging 20.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists for the Cavaliers, who entered Monday's game at 15-28 after winning just 17 games last season.

On Monday, James joined a starting lineup that now includes point guard Jeff McInnis. The Cavs acquired McInnis last week from Portland, a move that will allow James to play shooting guard _ his more natural position.