Just hours before tipoff of the 2018 NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers have announced that All-Star forward Kevin Love will be available after missing Games 6 & 7 of the Eastern Conference finals due to a concussion. Love collided with Boston Celtics' rookie Jayson Tatum early in Game 6 and has been in the NBA's concussion protocol ever since.
In Love's absence, Tyronn Lue turned to Jeff Green, who averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in the Cavs' victories in Games 6 and 7. According to ESPN, Love will return to the starting lineup for tonight's Game 1 now that he has been cleared.
During the 2018 postseason, Love is averaging 13.9 points on 38.8 percent shooting, 10.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. In two regular season games against the Golden State Warriors, the 29-year old forward averaged 24.0 points and 12.5 rebounds.
On the flip side, Golden State will be without veteran swingman Andre Iguodala, who missed the last four games of the Western Conference finals due to a left lateral leg contusion. He is scheduled to be reevaluated prior to Game 2 on Sunday night.
Game 1 of the Finals is scheduled to tipoff tonight at 9pm ET, airing on ABC.