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Cleveland Cavaliers C Kevin Love officially ruled out for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star center Kevin Love was placed in concussion protocol following a collision with Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Credit: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

CLEVELAND -- As the Cleveland Cavaliers attempt to clinch a trip to a fourth straight NBA Finals, they'll be without one of their top players. According to the team, center Kevin Love has officially been ruled out for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday after suffering concussion-like symptoms.

He is continuing to be evaluated.

Love played in just five minutes of the Cavs' Game 6 win over the Celtics on Friday before leaving the game following a collision with Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue initially told reporters during a Saturday conference call that Love had been placed in concussion protocol, before later stating that he was still being evaluated.

Moments after the call, the Cavs announced Love had been ruled out for Game 7 and has in fact been placed in the NBA's concussion protocol.

Without Love, reserve forward Jeff Green played 31 minutes and scored 14 points in Cleveland's 109-99 victory on Friday. The 5-time All-Star's absence could also pave the way for more playing time for forward-center Larry Nance Jr., who scored 10 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 22 minutes in Game 6.

Through the first five games of the Eastern Conference Finals, Love averaged 15.0 points and 11.0 rebounds. This marks the second concussion he has suffered this season, with the first causing him to miss a game against the Charlotte Hornets in late-March.

Game 7 between the Cavs and Celtics will tip-off in Boston at 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. The winner will advance to the NBA Finals to meet the winner of the Western Conference Finals between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors.

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