Cavaliers' Kevin Love 'highly unlikely' to return in playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin said Tuesday that forward Kevin Love is "highly unlikely" to return to the playoffs after suffering a dislocated left shoulder during Sunday's Game 4 of the team's Eastern Conference opening-round series.
Love's labrum tore away from the bone and he will need four to six weeks at minimum to heal, reports Bleacher Report's Howard Beck. Surgery could be a possibility if Love does not heal within that time frame.
Love sustained the injury after getting tangled up with Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk while chasing down a loose ball with 5:22 remaining in the first quarter. As Love reached for the ball with his right hand, Olynyk held onto his left arm as Love extended in the opposite direction. Love reacted in obvious pain, holding his left shoulder as he ran into the tunnel to receive medical attention.
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A foul was called on Olynyk, and Love said after the game he "thought it was a bush-league play."
Griffin said Tuesday,"It sickens me that this was the result of a non-basketball play."
The Cavs won the game 101–93 and swept the series. They will play the winner of the Bucks-Bulls series, which Milwaukee extended to a sixth game after winning at Chicago on Monday.
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In four playoff games, Love averaged 14.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 26.8 minutes.
-Mike Fiammetta
