The Cleveland Cavaliers clawed out from a 3-2 hole against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals without one of their two All-Stars. Kevin Love suffered a concussion early in Game 6 and missed the rest of that game as well as Game 7.
It was a miraculous effort from the Cavs, but could they possibly compete in the NBA Finals without Love? They may be forced to play without him.
As of Tuesday, with two days remaining until the championship series tips, Love’s status is up in the air. One would think Love will be cleared, but coach Ty Lue says the team is “not sure” if he will play.
Ty Lue says that Kevin Love is still in the concussion protocol and he’s “not sure” if he’ll be available for Game 1.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 29, 2018
The Cavs scored a mere 87 points in Game 7 against Boston, but they’ll almost surely need more offense against the vaunted Golden State Warriors.
The reason Cleveland has survived this long? Two words: LeBron James.
LeBron played all 48 minutes in his 100th game of the season in his 15th year and went 34-15-9 without Kevin Love in Game 7, and is in his eighth straight finals. There has never been anything like him.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) May 28, 2018
The Cavs traded Kyrie Irving. Kevin Love missed two months. Ty Lue missed two weeks. Isaiah Thomas missed two months. They ripped up half the roster in February. LeBron’s played every game. And they’re going back to the Finals
— Joe Vardon (@joevardon) May 28, 2018
Cavs-Warriors, Round 4
Golden State outlasted the Houston Rockets in an epic Western Conference Finals. Warriors star forward Kevin Durant said his squad will “probably never forget” the back-and-forth series.
GSW advanced with a 101-92 win in Game 7 in Houston Monday. Cavs-Warriors Game 1 is slated for Thursday at 9 p.m. EST at Oracle Arena. The series will air on ABC.
