BOSTON -- ESPY-less and exhausted after a cross-country flight, LeBron James didn't play for the Cleveland Cavaliers in their 87-83 summer league victory over Dallas on Thursday night.

"It was a mutual decision," Cavs summer league coach Stephen Silas said.

A less-than-capacity crowd of about 2,100 showed no outward signs of disappointment when the Cavs took the floor for warmups and James emerged wearing a blue T-shirt, blue sweat pants, gold medallion and diamond-studded watch.

James stood near the top of the key as his teammates went through their drills, then sat among Cleveland's coaches as the game began. He signed two autographs after walking off the court flanked by two policemen and a security guard. He was not available for interviews.

James was in Los Angeles on Wednesday night for a cable television sports awards show. He was nominated for Breakthrough Athlete and Play of the Year but did not win.

"With all the things that go on at the ESPYs, I'm amazed he's even here," Cavaliers head coach Paul Silas said. "Just for him to be here and support the team is great for us."

There was a discernible lack of a buzz in the UMass-Boston gym compared to Monday night, when James played in the Cavs' opener and scored 25 points against the Celtics.

Scalpers outside the arena were ignored by the arriving fans, and one man with two extra $15 tickets stood outside the main door for more than 30 minutes unable to unload the ducats for $20 apiece. He was unaware James would not play.

Nick Forbes, 18, sat in the front row behind the Cleveland bench wearing a screen-painted Cavs' jersey with James' name and number that he bought online for $55.

Sitting no more than 25 feet away from the superstar of the same age, Forbes said he was only slightly disappointed that James was not playing.

"To see him in person, just his presence is enough," Forbes said. "It'll be interesting to see how he does."

Cavs spokesman Matt Yatsko said James caught an early morning flight from Los Angeles, made it to the team hotel in Boston by 2 p.m. and rode the team bus to the game.

The decision for him to sit out was made before the team left its hotel.

James was expected to be in uniform for Cleveland's game Friday against Atlanta.

Darius Miles led Cleveland with 20 points in the victory over Dallas.