Cleveland star Kevin Love faces up to six months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to repair a shoulder injury sustained during last weekend’s NBA playoff win over Boston, his team confirmed.
Love, 26, went under the knife in New York on Wednesday to fix his left shoulder, which was dislocated during a clash with Boston’s Kelly Olynyk on Sunday as the Cavaliers completed a series sweep.
The Cavs had initially voiced hope that Love may recover in time to feature at some point in the postseason.
But the estimated four to six months recovery time needed following Wednesday’s surgery has effectively ended Love’s season.
Olynyk was suspended for one game without pay by the NBA on Monday following the controversial flashpoint.
Love accused the Boston forward of deliberately targeting him when he yanked on his arm and pulled it away from his body.
“I thought it was a bush-league play,” Love said of the incident. “I was out there and Olynyk was in a compromising position and had no chance to get the ball. It’s just too bad that he would go to those lengths to take somebody out of a game and do that to someone.
“I had no doubt in my mind that he did that on purpose.”