NBA Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers will ‘probably shut down’ Kyrie Irving
During Sunday night’s 102-80 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers’ point guard Kyrie Irving injured his left bicep and was forced to leave the game after just 10 minutes of play (you can see video of the injury below).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S73YLMr96ig
In those 10 minutes, Irving had two points on 0-of-five shooting, four rebounds and two assists.
On Monday morning, a report surfaced that the injury could keep Irving out for the rest of the season.
According to a source of Pro Basketball Draft, the Cavaliers will likely shut down Irving for the rest of the season.
According to a source the Cavs will "probably shut down Kyrie & boost their lotto chances. The schedule is tough the rest of the way."
— Joe Kotoch Real Estate (@luxuryagentchi) March 17, 2014
This is obviously horrible timing for the Cavaliers, who entered the season expecting to make the playoffs.
After the signing of Andrew Bynum did not work out, the Cavaliers did not abandon their plan, instead dealing Bynum to the Chicago Bulls for former All-Star forward Luol Deng.
However, the team is 4.5 games out of the playoffs and will likely have to settle for the lottery again, especially if they don’t have Irving.
Irving is averaging 21.2 points, 6.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game this season.