Cavs' Love out for Game 7, in concussion protocol
Cleveland Cavaliers big man Kevin Love has been ruled out for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics on Sunday due to concussion-like symptoms, the team announced.
The news came amid confusion Saturday after Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue originally left Love's status up in the air only moments earlier.
The Cavs did not place Love in protocol after Friday's Game 6 win, in which he departed after five minutes when he banged heads with Jayson Tatum. The team wanted to see how he felt after a night's sleep, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
Under NBA rules, a player cannot clear concussion protocol and play until he is without symptoms, has been evaluated by a doctor, and until the team physician has spoken with the director of the NBA concussion program, Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher.
Losing Love for Game 7 is a staggering blow to the Cavs, who have fought to consistently provide LeBron James with any sort of support. Love is their second-leading scorer and top rebounder.
James scored 46 points Friday to force the deciding contest in Boston.