Kyrie Irving is out of the NBA Finals after season-ending surgery on fractured knee cap
Kevin C. Cox/GettyThe Cleveland Cavaliers have announced Kyrie Irving will have season-ending surgery to repair his fractured left knee cap.
Irving, who'd been dealing with various ailments, including knee problems, throughout the playoffs, injured his knee in overtime of Game 1 of the NBA Finals when he slipped and fell on a drive.
Irving checked out of the game and cameras showed him limping back into the locker room while the game continued.
This is absolutely devastating news for the Cavaliers, who gave the Warriors a battle in Game 1 behind LeBron James' 44 points and Irving's 23 points. Irving was key in taking some of the offensive load off James, and he also defended Stephen Curry admirably, including coming up with a game-saving block on Curry's layup attempt with 30 seconds to play in the fourth quarter.
Irving's status wasn't immediately known after the injury or this morning until an MRI revealed the fracture. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that there's been tension between Irving's camp and the Cavs about how to properly take care of Irving's ailing knee versus pushing him through possible tendinitis to play for the Cavs.
The road to the title now becomes much easier for the Warriors, who will have one less weapon to deal with on the Cavs.