Cavaliers forward Kevin Love was not happy with Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk Sunday after Cleveland’s 101-93 win at TD Garden.
With 5:22 left in the first quarter, Love and Olynyk got tangled up while chasing a loose ball.
The two had their arms interlocked when Love’s shoulder popped out.
“It was a bush-league play,’’ Love said after the game, his arm in a sling beneath his hoodie. “Olynyk was in a compromised position and had no chance to get the ball. It’s just too bad that he would go to those lengths to take somebody out of the game and do that to someone. I have no doubt in my mind that he did that on purpose.’’
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Olynyk, who was assessed a personal foul, was not available in the locker room to address the matter, but spoke about it later with a Boston Herald reporter.
“That’s ridiculous. I would never intentionally hurt Kevin or anyone else. He locked my arm up, I locked up his as we were fighting for a loose ball. You lock up arms all the time in this league,” Olynyk told the Herald.
Love left the court immediately and did not return.
“I didn’t know the severity of it, but I knew I wasn’t going to be able to come back in and play,’’ Love said. “Once it popped back into place, it was a huge relief, and we put ice on it and I’ve got some [electrical stimulation] on it now. So, we’ll go from there. Obviously, I’m not happy about it, but we’ll just try to make the best of the situation.’’
Love’s teammate Kyrie Irving agreed with him.
Kyrie Irving on Kevin Love injury: “I think it was a shared feeling that it wasn’t a basketball play.” He said he hasn't see the play.
— Ben Rohrbach (@brohrbach) April 26, 2015
Cavaliers coach David Blatt said he didn’t see the play and hopes it wasn’t on purpose.
Blatt on Love injury: “I hope it wasn’t a play on purpose. I don’t think it’s in the character of Olynyk to do that. I hope not."
— Ben Rohrbach (@brohrbach) April 26, 2015
Told of Love’s accusation against Olynyk, Blatt: “I didn't see the play, but if that’s what he thinks, then he was the closest guy to it."
— Ben Rohrbach (@brohrbach) April 26, 2015
Celtics coach Brad Stevens defended Olynyk.
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“I can’t imagine there was any negative intent on Kelly,” Stevens said. “That’s not the type of person he is.’’
After the play, Love immediately ran to the Cavaliers’ locker room, where he said he popped it back into place. The Cavaliers said Love will be further evaluated at the Cleveland Clinic.
Per Cavs: "Kevin Love will travel back to Cleveland today and receive additional examination, imaging and evaluation at Cleveland Clinic."
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) April 26, 2015
Love had scored two points in seven minutes before leaving the game.
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Follow Adam Himmelsbach on Twitter @adamhimmelsbach. Follow Rachel G. Bowers on Twitter @RachelGBowers.