UPDATE (6/8/16): Kevin Love is being informed by the NBA he will be ruled out for game 3, despite his lobbying to play, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
Kevin Love has been informed that he will not be medically cleared to play in Wednesday night’s Game 3, ESPN has learned
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 8, 2016
ESPN sources say Love has been lobbying hard for clearance to play Game 3 but has been told Friday’s Game 4 is the soonest he’ll be cleared
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 8, 2016
Kevin Love took a shot to the back of the head from the Golden State Warrior’s Harrison Barnes during the Warrior’s dismantling of the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game 2 of the NBA Finals. He played after this happened, but soon after halftime, Love lost balance and had to leave the court. We still do not know if Love actually sustained a concussion, but he still has to go through the NBA’s concussion protocol before he can play again.
On Tuesday, the Cavs Twitter account tweeted that he is questionable for Wednesday’s Game 3:
.@kevinlove (concussion) is listed as QUESTIONABLE (50/50) for #NBAFinals Game 3 on Wednesday night. pic.twitter.com/NZFhidzy7C
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) June 7, 2016
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Love is optimistic that he will, in fact, play on Wednesday. Obviously Love hopes he can play, but he won’t be able to do anything unless he passes the concussion protocol. It is a good sign that he is optimistic though.
Love has struggled during the NBA Finals, but in order for the Cavs to comeback from their 0-2 deficit, they will need him. He has been a crucial part of the team during the playoffs, and his team will not be able to defeat the Warriors unless he comes back and turns his play around. They need his three-point shooting.
