Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving to Have MRI on Injured Left Knee

The Cleveland Cavaliers lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday 108-100 in overtime. However, the bigger loss could be that of Kyrie Irving.

The Cavaliers All-Star point guard is scheduled to have an MRI Friday morning to determine if he suffered damage to his knee during the overtime period in Game 1.

Irving fell while driving with the ball during the game and grabbed a hold of his left knee, which has bothered him for six weeks due to tendinitis.

Tests done initially by medical staff for Cleveland revealed no damage to the ACL or MCL ligaments but he said this problem felt different.

He said he was worried and wanted to make sure things were ok.

According to one source, Cleveland was hopeful that Irving did not suffer structural damage to his knee, but everyone will wait until he has his test on Friday morning. He left the arena Thursday night after the game on crutches.

If Irving cannot play the big question is can Cleveland win.

Irving had 12 assists opportunities in Game 1 that results in 6 baskets and 14 points. The only other Cavalier with more than 3 was LeBron James with 15.

In Game 1, Irving made 13 drives to the basket, creating 13 points. He and LeBron combined for 27 of the 29 drives by Cleveland in Game 1.

Against Stephen Curry, Irving held the sharpshooter to 1 for 5 and only four points in Game 1, while Curry hit 8 of his 14 shots and had 19 points against other defenders who played against him in the Warriors half court offense.

Irving had done very well prior to hurting his knee. He scored 23 points, grabbed 7 boards, hand out 6 assists, recorded 4 steals and made 2 blocked shots. His late block in the fourth quarter on Stephen Curry helped send the game into overtime.

The Cavaliers have a few days to figure out what to do if Irving cannot play. Game 2 in the series is in Oakland on Sunday night.

In other Cavaliers news, Kevin Love said it wanted to play Game 1 of the NBA Finals more than any other game.

The soon to be free agent was asked if he wanted to return to Cleveland for next season and Love replied Yes, I want to win. He has not wavered from that during his one season with Cleveland and speculation was that he would leave this season by opting out of his contract.