Concussion protocol benches Love for Game 7

CLEVELAND — Kevin Love won’t be able to help LeBron James and the Cavaliers in Game 7 against the Celtics.

Love was placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol, so the All-Star forward will miss Sunday’s series finale of the Eastern Conference Finals, a personal blow and yet another challenge for Cleveland to overcome.

The Cavaliers said Love, 29, who inadvertently bashed heads with Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum in the first quarter of Game 6, experienced concussion-like symptoms Saturday before the team’s flight to Boston.

Moments before the Cavs sent a news release updating Love’s status,

coach Tyronn Lue held a confusing teleconference during which he said Love was still being evaluated and there was a possibility he could play.

However, like everything else in this erratic, convoluted season for Cleveland, things changed quickly.

Now, the Cavs will be without their second-leading scorer and top rebounder as they try to win their fourth straight conference title against a younger team that is 10-0 at home in the playoffs.

Love is averaging 13.9 points and 10 rebounds in 17 playoff starts, and he’s the No. 2 scoring option for the Cavs, who have leaned on James more than ever this postseason.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens believes the Cavaliers are dangerous even without Love.

“Obviously, they’ll run a little bit less of the Love stuff,” Stevens said. “Probably more opportunities for LeBron, more opportunities for (Kyle) Korver and (J.R.) Smith, more opportunities off those pick and rolls.”

There is statistical data to support that the Cavaliers have been more effective in the series when Love has been out. But while Cleveland may be better defensively, Love’s shooting helps the Cavs spread the floor and open driving lanes for James.

“You can switch more,” Lue said. “I think when Jeff (Green) is in there playing that position, it makes you more versatile defensively. But we miss his rebounding. We miss his offensive ability. It kind of all cancels out.”

James scored 46 points Friday, his latest jaw-dropping performance. James is averaging 33.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 8.8 assists and has had seven 40-point games and two-buzzer beaters.

The 33-year-old’s next challenge: finding a way to beat the Celtics, who have played at another level on their home floor.