Irving’s injury has even James noting negative consequences

OAKLAND, Calif. — The NBA Finals hyped as LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry now seems like James against the Golden State Warriors.

The Cavaliers are down another important player, with Kyrie Irving having surgery Saturday in Cleveland to repair his fractured left kneecap.

And with what was a short-handed Cavs team down 1-0 heading into Game 2 on Sunday night, a series that just started has the feel of one that could end quickly. Different scenario

“(I) understand that we were the underdog coming into the series and with Kyrie being out people are writing us off,” James said. “So, I mean, that’s fine. That’s fine. I’m motivated to get our guys ready to go tomorrow, and we will be ready.”

James seemed more downcast as he spoke then a day earlier, before the Cavaliers had revealed the severity of Irving’s injury following an MRI. Irving had been hurt in the postseason and Cleveland had won without him, but this time was different.

“Obviously, we’ve been in this situation, but we always knew at some point he’ll come back,” James said. “Knowing that he’s out for the rest of the Finals and out for a period of a long time, first of all, it stinks for him personally. It’s a huge blow for our team, especially at this stage.”

The Warriors were the favorites to win the championship after leading the NBA with 67 victories. Now, with Irving joining Kevin Love on the sidelines, the Warriors were trying to brush away the suggestions that not only should they win, but easily.

“No series is unlosable,” center Andrew Bogut said. “Stranger things have happened and they’re still a great team with arguably the best player in the world. Obviously they’re going to have other guys that have to step up to help him get wins, but we can’t take this team lightly.”

Curry said the mood in the Warriors’ locker room was no different than it was going into the series.

“There is no pressure or added pressure, I don’t think, because our goal stays the same,” Curry said. “We’re not really listening to any outside noise or predictions, or who is favored to do what, because we control what we control. When we go out there and play, we’ve got to play better than we did in Game 1, and that is really our only focus.” Pivotal Game 1 plays

Both teams noted how close the Cavs were to winning Game 1. James and Iman Shumpert missed jumpers on the final possession of regulation. Had either gone in, the Cavs would be the team with the 1-0 lead and would’ve avoided the overtime period in which Irving was injured. Coach David Blatt said the point guard was kneed in his knee.

Matthew Dellavedova was likely to replace Irving for the Cavs.

James said he could maybe play 40 to 42 minutes, but it’s hard to imagine even he could do much more than the 44 points he scored in Game 1.