Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving has downplayed fears over an ankle injury that he suffered in practice this week.

Irving was seen wearing a protective boot as the Cavs players went sightseeing in Rio de Janeiro ahead of their pre-season game against the Miami Heat on Saturday.

However, he took to Twitter to reveal that the boot was merely precautionary and that he would not be missing the start of the new season.

"Just a sprained ankle from practice, in a walking boot for precautionary reasons. Not that serious, I'm all good," Irving noted.

The 22-year-old has missed 49 games over the past three seasons due to injury, but he started his pre-season schedule with 16 points in Clevelands win over Maccabi Tel Aviv last weekend.