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LAS VEGAS The Charlotte Bobcats chose to sit rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on Sunday night vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers to rest a sore left knee.
The injury is not considered serious. In fact, Kidd-Gilchrist wasn’t scratched until tip-off of the Bobcats’ second game in the Las Vegas summer league.
Kidd-Gilchrist, the No. 2 overall pick, Hirt himself Friday in the victory over the Sacramento Kings. He sat out part of Saturday’s practice.
The Bobcats came back from a 12-point deficit to beat the Cavs 68-64. They shot just 30 percent but forced 24 Cleveland turnovers to win it.
“We’re trying to set a tone of defense first. Mission accomplished,” said coach Mike Dunlap.
Asked about holding out Kidd-Gilchrist, Dunlap said, “He wanted to play. We’ve got to stay smart (in protecting) Michael.”
Dunlap said Kidd-Gilchrist shouldn’t play another game here until he’s “completely healthy.”
• Rookie Jeff Taylor was known at Vanderbilt primarily as a defender before improving his 3-point shooting as a senior. Taylor did a great job drawing a charge on Dion Waiters in the first quarter.
Taylor’s was one of five charges the Bobcats drew in the first three quarters.
Nuance to the amnesty-waiver rule: The Bobcats would be barred from trading Brendan Haywood next season. The Bobcats will pay about $2 million toward Haywood’s salary each of the next three seasons.
