Shortly after news broke that Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love had been placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol, a report emerged that he will not be available for Game 7 in Boston Sunday night.
Jason Lloyd of The Athletic provided this updated report, just minutes after it had been reported that Love wasn’t yet ruled out.
Kevin Love is in the league's concussion protocol and has been ruled out of Game 7, according to a league source.
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) May 26, 2018
ESPN’s Rachel Nichols confirmed this report shortly afterward, citing the Cavaliers.
Here we go: Cavaliers tell me Kevin Love is offficially in the concussion protocol and OUT for Game 7. This concludes your Kevin Love roller coaster for the day.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 26, 2018
Given the number of steps Love would have needed to pass before he could be cleared for Sunday night’s Game 7, this isn’t surprising. It’s also not surprising, just having seen the incredible blow to the head Love took in his collision with Jayson Tatum (watch here).
According to NBC Sports Boston, Lovce would need to run through the following list of items to be cleared.
- He is without concussion-related symptoms at rest.
- He has been evaluated by a physician.
- He has successfully completed the NBA return-to-participation exertion protocol.
- A team physician has discussed the return-to-participation process and decision with the Director of the NBA concussion program, Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher.
Needless to say, it seems highly unlikely that Love would be able to clear all those hurdles in less than 48 hours. This was his second concussion in two months and the fourth of his NBA career.
Prior to the early exit in Game 6, Love had averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers in this Eastern Conference Finals against Boston.