INQUIRER Sports

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Guard Daniel Gibson will be sidelined by a separated shoulder Friday when the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Boston Celtics in a bid to stay alive in the National Basketball Association playoffs.

Gibson was hurt in the fourth quarter of the Cavaliers game five loss to the Celtics on Wednesday, as he was knocked to the floor while chasing a loose ball.

An MRI revealed the nature of the injury, and he'll be out for at least a week, including the must-win contest on Friday in which the Cavaliers will try to force a deciding game seven.

"It's kind of the tale of our season - another guy goes down," Cavaliers star LeBron James said. "It's not good to see a guy that key to your team in a suit."

The Cavaliers, and Gibson, have battled injuries all season. This is the fourth time he has had to go on the inactive list with a different ailment -- everything from a bad wisdom tooth to a severe high-ankle sprain.

"He's been good for us as of late, so to have him go down is tough," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. "You just have to find a way. The next guy has got to step up."