A year ago, Kevin Love’s absence could be seen as the Golden State Warriors took down the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games.
Cleveland might have to cope without Love once again.
After taking an elbow in the head in the first quarter of Game Two on Sunday, Love played more than one quarter before undergoing NBA concussion protocol. Love’s delayed exit brought questions from many regarding the NBA and its handling of Love’s symptoms.
Here’s video of the initial hit:
Love managed to stay in the game for the rest of the first half. In 21 minutes, Love scored five points.
At the start of the third quarter, Love headed to the locker room, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein:
Cavs say Kevin Love experienced dizziness at the start of the third quarter and has now been placed in the NBA's Concussion Protocol
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 6, 2016
ESPN’s Doris Burke was all over the Love news on the broadcast. She broke it down for the fans:
The NBA is aware of how it handled Love’s concussion symptoms. It has since released a statement regarding its handling of Love:
NBA release on Kevin Love's status: pic.twitter.com/5ggKu4nVCl
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) June 6, 2016
With all of the talk around concussions, it’s bad PR for anyone to mishandle concussion symptoms. It’s obviously getting plenty of commentary on social media:
Please! Please! Please! Don’t miss me Postgame, ppl. I’m telling y’all right now that I’m going ballistic. I don’t give a damn.#disgraceful
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 6, 2016
The concussion protocol is meant to get players OFF immediately NOT later @NBA. Kevin Love should have exited right away not 30′ later. — Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) June 6, 2016
How in the world can Kevin Love stay in the game and not undergo concussion testing?
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) June 6, 2016
Kevin Love removed himself from the game. Maybe there should, you know, be a concussion protocol?
— Nick Stellini (@StelliniTweets) June 6, 2016
It will be interesting to see if the NBA changes its protocol with Love’s issues.
On the court, the Cavaliers can use any help it can get against the Warriors. Golden State thoroughly outplayed Cleveland in Game Two, coming away with a 110-77 win to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.