A day after Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin said it was "highly unlikely" that power forward Kevin Love would return at any point this postseason because of his shoulder injury, the team announced that Love underwent surgery and will be out four-to-six months.
Kevin Love out 4-to-6 months after shoulder surgery
Love opted to undergo surgery on his dislocated left shoulder, making his impending free agency even more intriguing.
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Love was officially ruled out Monday for the Cavaliers' second-round series against either the Chicago Bulls or Milwaukee Bucks after suffering a dislocated shoulder in Cleveland's series-ending Game 4 victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Griffin said it "sickens" him that the injury occurred thanks to a "non-basketball play" that involved Kelly Olynyk yanking on Love's arm when the two were going for a rebound.
In addition to the dislocated shoulder, there was ligament and labrum damage. Bleacher Report's Howard Beck reported that Love's labrum tore away from the bone and would need at least four-to-six weeks to heal on its own, but the decision was made to undergo surgery.
This news makes the Cavaliers' road to a title even more difficult. Head coach David Blatt will have some major decisions to make in regards to his rotation, and everybody on the roster will have to step up with Love likely out for the year and J.R. Smith gone for the first two games of the next round due to a suspension.
Not only does this injury have an impact on this postseason, but it makes Love’s pending free agency all the more intriguing. Perhaps Love now feels more inclined to opt in to his deal with the Cavaliers next year in order to make another run with this group. Or maybe he uses this as an opportunity to go elsewhere. Either way, it’ll be a fascinating next few months in Cleveland.
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