Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, left, yells with pain as he is dragged by the arm by Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk (41) during the first quarter of a first-round NBA playoff basketball game in Boston, Sunday, April 26, 2015. The play resulted in an injury to Love that forced him from the game. AP
CLEVELAND, United States – Cleveland big man Kevin Love will miss the second round of the NBA playoffs with a dislocated left shoulder, the Cavaliers said Monday.
Love was hurt in the first quarter of Sunday’s first-round series-clinching win over Boston when he tangled with Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk as the two players battled for a loose ball.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love runs off the floor holding his shoulder during the first quarter of a first-round NBA playoff basketball game in Boston, Sunday, April 26, 2015. Love dislocated his left shoulder and left the game. AP
“I thought it was a bush-league play,” said Love, who immediately grabbed his shoulder and headed to the locker room after the incident.
“I was out there and Olynyk was in a compromising position and had no chance to get the ball. It’s just too bad that he would go to those lengths to take somebody out of a game and do that to someone. I had no doubt in my mind that he did that on purpose.”
Olynyk, however, denied intentionally trying to hurt Love.
The Cavs said Love is undergoing training room treatment while they consider other options.
They expect to know more about his availability for the rest of the playoffs in coming days.
In the second round Cleveland will play either the Chicago Bulls or Milwaukee Bucks.