NBA MVP James has benign growth removed

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-03 14:34

CLEVELAND, Ohio - National Basketball Association (NBA) Most Valuable Player (MVP) LeBron James had a benign growth removed from his right jaw in a five-hour operation, the Cleveland Cavaliers said.

James has had the condition for several months, but delayed the opperation with approval from his doctors until the Cavaliers had completed their season.

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James hits a two-point shot in the first quarter of play against the Orlando Magic during Game 6 of their Eastern Conference Finals NBA basketball playoff series in Orlando, Florida May 30, 2009. [Agencies]

Cleveland fell in six games to Orlando in the Eastern Conference finals to miss out on a trip to the NBA championship series.

During the surgery, doctors excised tissue from the saliva-producing parotid gland.

Such procedures are often lengthy because of the amount of nerves and blood vessels involved.

The Cavaliers released a statement saying doctors were "pleased with the outcome of the procedure, and at this time, are confident that no further treatment will be needed as LeBron is expected to make a full and complete recovery."

James was in hospital on Tuesday night.

James, 24, won MVP honors after leading Cleveland to a 66-win regular season.

He averaged 38.5 points, 8.3 assists and 8.0 rebounds in Cleveland's series against Orlando.

Despite that stellar performance, he attracted some criticism at the end of the series when he failed to shake hands with or congratulate any Orlando players at the end of the deciding game.