The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost Kevin Love for up to two weeks with a shoulder injury and that could mean the Cavs star will be out for the second round playoffs matchup against the Chicago Bulls after suffering the injury in Game 4 against the Celtics, who the Cavaliers swept out 4-0 in the first round.
According to ESPN.com, Brian Windhorst reports that while no major damage is likely, Love could miss the next two weeks with a shoulder injury. Love underwent an MRI to see the extent of the damage and Windhorst writes that it will be a "minimum of two weeks" for Love and that could mean he misses most or all of the Bulls series.
The injury was suffered when Love and Kelly Olynyk got tied up and Olynyk moved in a way that twisted Love's arm. The Bulls are up 3-1 in the series over the Bucks and they were up 3-0, which means they are almost guaranteed to make it into the next round. Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol give the Bulls a strong front line and not having Love will be an issue for the Cavaliers. The Cavs have played well with Love in the lineup and now they will have to find a way to get through without him.
This postseason Love has been key for the Cavs and he has been playing well alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Love is averaging 18 points and nine rebounds per game and he is also shooting over 45 percent from three point range. The Cavaliers reportedly tried to take some "revenge" for the injury later in the Celtics game and they later got physical with Jae Crowder. The team not is hoping that Love will not be out for longer than the initial two weeks for his shoulder.
This wouldn't be that big of a deal considering that the Cavs have played well without Love at his best at times this season, but it's coming just as the Bulls are finding their footing. Derrick Rose is playing very well and he has turned the Bulls back into a contender after many thought they would be out of the mix with Rose injured. Rose has come back quickly from his injury earlier in the year and now he is looking like he has regained that explosiveness that has been gone over the past couple years.
The Cavaliers are considered to be the overall favorites in the east, but the Bulls are starting to show better form and the Hawks are also in the mix to get out of the east. Love coming back will be big for the Cavs and they will need to lock down the front line for the Bulls in the next round. Love has been rumored to be considering using his opt out this summer and if he doesn't come back fast or the Cavs lose, that outcome could be more likely.
