The Cleveland Cavaliers will have to continue the rest of the NBA playoffs without Kevin Love.
The Cavs forward dislocated his left shoulder on April 26, 2015, in the first quarter of Game 4 against the Boston Celtics. ESPN reported that Love was caught up with Kelly Olynyk of the Celtics with 5:22 left on the clock. As Love attempted for a rebound, Olynyk held on to Love's left arm and pulled him away, resulting to the injury. Olnyk was called for a loose-ball foul while Love proceeded to the team locker room while holding his shoulder. In the end, the Cavs won against the Celtics 101-93.
A video by Deadspin showed how the injury happened.
Love did not play for the rest of the game. His shoulder was re-set in the locker room and he was relieved to have his shoulder put back in place. He wore a sling afterward.
Love said, based on the same report by ESPN, "I thought it was a bush-league play. Olynyk was in a compromising position, had no chance to get the ball, and it's just too bad that he would go to those lengths to take somebody out of the game and do that to someone. I have no doubt in my mind that he did that on purpose."
LeBron James also commented about the incident, "It didn't look like a basketball play. I've seen a lot of tie-ups in my day, and that tie-in was a little different. We want to play the game of basketball the right way. You want to be physical, but you never want the game to get out of hand."
The Cavs forward is also hoping that the NBA will review the footage of the foul and give the necessary penalty to Olynyk.
Love said, "Oh, the league will take a look at it, and it better be swift and just."
Yahoo Sports reported that although experts estimate that Love might be out for about two weeks, the forward still plans to return to the playoffs and help the Cavs take their first NBA crown.
According to the Cavaliers, Love will return to Cleveland and undergo more examination, imaging tests and evaluation at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health to get updates regarding his injury and status.
Love scored the first basket during the game before he got injured. He also averaged 18.3 points in the first three playoff games. The Cavs are set to face either the Chicago Bulls or Milwaukee Bucks at the semifinals of the Eastern Conference.