It is no good fortune for the Cleveland Cavaliers to reign in the Game 1 of the NBA finals. It was due to the loss of their point guard Kyrie Irving, who hurt his left kneecap during their play against the Golden State Warriors.
An MRI test result last Friday morning done at the Stanford Sports Medicine Clinic revealed the injury, as reported by USA Today. Irving must undergo a surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, and in the event of a surgery, the projected recovery time will be three to four months, the Cavs said in a news release. And the Cavs' championship aspirations took a significant hit with this latest news. Cleveland's 51-year drought without a major professional sports championship may not end in June. The Cavaliers lost one of their above-average players.
Irving sustained the injury with 2:23 left in overtime as he tried to dribble past Golden State guard Klay Thompson. Irving lost his footing, and he immediately was in pain.
Irving, who has been worried by tendinitis in that same knee, said over and over after the game that the injury felt different than tendinitis. He stepped out of the arena on crutches.
Nate Silver of fivethirtyeight.com reported that the Game 1 loss lessened the Cavs' chances to 17%, according to Elo ratings. But Elo is just accounting for the outcome of the game and not Irving's injury. How much more might the injury spoil their chances?
Irving has a positive mind about his team even if he cannot play in three to four months' time because of his injury. The team also lost Kevin Love because of his dislocated shoulder in Game 4 against the Boston Celtics in the first round. And because of their loss of teammates, the Cavaliers have to work hard for them to bring home their glory.
In a statement by the Cavs star LeBron James, as reported by USA Today, he said, "There are a few things that you would love to have going late in the season. That's being healthy, having a great rhythm, and then you need a little luck as well. We've had a great rhythm. We haven't had much luck, and we haven't been healthy. But I haven't gotten discouraged. I understand the moment that I'm in, and I'm not too much worried about the game. I'm worried about the moment. I'm happy with the moment. I'm excited to be in this moment once again, and I'm going to stay strong for my team, no matter who is or is not in the lineup."
