Love likely out for playoffs
He has ‘extensive’ shoulder damage
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Kevin Love spent all those long, losing seasons in Minnesota aching for a chance to be part of the NBA playoffs.
His first foray into them lasted less than four games.
Love sustained “extensive” damage in his left shoulder and will likely miss the remainder of Cleveland’s playoff run, reducing The Cavs’ “Big 3” to a twosome.
“We all have to pick our own game up,” said LeBron James, who along with Love and Kyrie Irving formed a trio capable of ending the city’s half-century title drought. “We can’t fill Kevin’s shoes; you can’t do that; he’s special for a reason.”
Cavs general manager David Griffin said Tuesday the team doesn’t expect Love to return. Cleveland is waiting to see whether it will play Chicago or Milwaukee in the next round.
Griffin said the team is still gathering information and considering its options for treatment.
“Surgery is an option as well, if necessary. We’re going to continue to look at that, but I don’t want there to be any expectation on Kevin that he’ll be back,” he said. “I think it would be a real surprise if he we were able to participate in the postseason. I’ve still got a sliver of hope very late, but highly unlikely.”
Love had finally joined a winner in Cleveland after six years with the Timberwolves, who never won more than 40 games with him.
This was Love’s shot to show critics he could do more than just post impressive statistics for a lousy team, that he could help a team win it all.
The journey ended almost as fast as it started.
Love got hurt in Sunday’s series-sweeping win over Boston when he got tangled with Celtics center Kelly Olynyk while chasing a loose ball. Olynyk yanked down on Love’s arm, popping it from the socket and sending Cleveland’s big man running to the locker room for treatment.
Olynyk was suspended one game by the NBA.
Tuesday’s games
ROCKETS 103, MAVERICKS 94: In Houston, James Harden scored 28 points, Terrence Jones had 10 of his 15 in the fourth quarter, and Houston beat Dallas for its first playoff series victory since 2009.
Houston won the West- ern Conference series 4-1 to advance to face the winner of the Clippers-Spurs series in the second round.
The Rockets bounced back from a lackluster performance in a 121-109 loss in Game 4 to head to the West semifinals for the first time since Yao Ming starred for Houston.
Dwight Howard had 18 points and 19 rebounds to help the Rockets dominate inside and Josh Smith scored 20 points. The Mavericks couldn’t get going from longrange, going just 5 of 26 on 3-pointers.
Monta Ellis led Dallas with 25 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 22.
The Mavericks didn’t lead after early in the first quarter, but a 7-0 run, capped by a basket by J.J. Barea, got them within three with about 5 minutes remaining. Then Jones took over, making a three-point play followed by a corner 3 to push it to 94-85.
SPURS 111, CLIPPERS 107: In Los Angeles, Tim Duncan scored 21 points and Kawhi Leonard added 18 as San Antonio took a 3-2 series lead over Los Angeles.