The good news for the Cavs is Kevin Love returned from his injury Thursday against the Jazz. The bad news is that Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert both left with injuries. The Cavs can't seem to get fully healthy, as when the receive one player back, another one (or two) get injured. Cleveland still pulled out the win Thursday, but as the playoffs loom, they need to get in there healthy. Injuries have made the NBA regular season interesting, but injuries can decide a teams fate in the playoffs.
Injury Bug Bites
Kevin Love returned to action Thursday, and scored ten points in 19, minutes, eight of them in the first quarter.
He was set to play on the Cavs upcoming road trip, but he felt tonight was just right saying "It was either going to be this weekend or tonight. I think once I saw how I was progressing and didn't have any hiccups, tonight just felt right." (ESPN). In a night where the Cavs seemed to be at full strength, the injury bug bit them again.
Kyrie Irving didn't play in the fourth quarter due tightness in his left knee. He sat out the rest of the game being cautious, not trying to injure himself any further. He said his knee was a problem for him over the past two days and got tight after he went to the bench for a rest in the third quarter. He isn't sure if he will miss any time. Iman Shumpert also left with a shoulder sprain and is listed as day-to-day.
Shumpert has been the starting shooting guard for a while since J.R Smith has been injured. These injuries are big blows for the Cavs, but both Irving and Shumpert might not miss any time.
Keep it together
The Cavs can't seem to stay healthy for a even a single night. Kyle Korver sat out his fifth straight game due to soreness in his left foot.
Derrick Williams, who has played well since he signed with the team missed Thursday's game due to a right quad contusion. With the new injuries to Shumpert and Irving, the Cavs need to somehow get to the playoffs healthy. They can't afford to rest any players, as they are in a tight race for the No.1 seed in the eastern conference.
LeBron James has been the consistent piece for Cleveland throughout all the injuries. He carried the Cavs to the win Thursday once he know Kyrie and Shumpert were out. He said after the game Thursday "Kyrie looked at me and said he probably won't be able to finish the game. With Kev being on a minutes restriction coming back, I knew Shump was out, I had to step up the scoring load a little bit." (ESPN). LeBron has had another MVP worthy season, and many people have become numb to James' greatness. Without James, the Cavs wouldn't be where they are this season.
The Cavs can't seem to shake the injury bug, as two more key players get hampered by injuries. With the Cavs in a close race for the one seed, the need LeBron to step up and carry the load, as he has been the consistent piece in this team. As for the injury Cavs players, in the words of the famous Steve Smith Sr. "Ice up son!"
