If the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to advance to their fourth NBA Finals in a row, they’ll have to do it without the services of Kevin Love. The All-Star big man suffered a concussion during Cleveland’s Game 6 win against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, and with the series shifting to Boston for a one-game playoff, it’s been determined that Love will not be healthy in time to participate on Sunday.
The news of Love being held out first came via Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.
https://twitter.com/joevardon/status/1000434817299820545
After several other media members confirmed the report, the Cavaliers made it official: Love is in the NBA’s concussion protocol and cannot play.
STATUS UPDATE: @kevinlove is experiencing concussion-like symptoms and has been placed in the league’s concussion protocol.
He is now listed as OUT for Game 7 in Boston.
DETAILS: https://t.co/VXk3tptOwo— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 26, 2018
In the understatement to end all understatements, this is an absolutely brutal blow for the Cavaliers. While LeBron James is capable of carrying the team, Love gives Cleveland a dangerous second option, something that will be extremely hard to replicate with him on the bench. While he hasn’t been at his best against the Celtics, Love still averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds in 31 minutes a night during the first five games of the series.
James reminded everyone in Game 6 that he’s capable of doing the near-impossible in willing Cleveland to a win, but the Cavaliers have yet to win a game in Boston this series. It would be a tall task even if Love were on the floor, but his concussion will make picking up a win in Game 7 significantly more difficult.
