If the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to win their first championship in franchise history, they will have to do it without Kevin Love.
On Tuesday, Cavs GM David Griffin told reporters it is “highly unlikely” Love will be able to play again this postseason. Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck is reporting that Love suffered a torn labrum that could heal on its own in 4-6 weeks or might require surgery.
Source: Kevin Love's labrum tore away from the bone, and will need 4-6 weeks, minimum, to heal. If it doesn't, surgery a possibility.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) April 28, 2015
While Love hasn’t exactly been a superstar in his first season with the Cavs, this is terrible news for the team. Playing in his first ever postseason, Love averaged 14.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game against the Boston Celtics. His 23-point, nine-rebound performance in Game 3 was a reminder that he is still capable of taking pressure off LeBron James and acting as another scoring threat for defenses to worry about.
Love suffered a dislocated shoulder in Game 4 after he got tangled up with Kelly Olynyk on this scuffle for a loose ball. He later blasted Olynyk, who was suspended one game by the NBA.
The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time, especially with J.R. Smith set to miss the first two games of the next series because of a cheap shot on Jae Crowder. It’s all pretty much on LeBron and Kyrie Irving at this point.
