Cleveland, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin is not expecting Kevin Love to return this postseason.
The Cavs said Monday that Love would not be available for the Eastern Conference semifinals because of the dislocated left shoulder he suffered during Game 4 of the first round against Boston.
However, on Tuesday, Griffin sounded less optimistic about any kind of return for Love even if the Cavs make a deep playoff run.
"The damage to his shoulder is extensive," said Griffin after the Cavs practiced on Tuesday.
"This is not a situation where we are expecting that he will be available for any of this (postseason). We are in the process of gathering information and seeing what the exact right next steps are and every option is on the table. Surgery is an option as well, if necessary. We're going to continue to look at that, but I don't want there to be any expectation on Kevin that he'll be back."
Asked if a possibility existed that Love would be ready several weeks down the road for a potential NBA Finals appearance, Griffin still wouldn't commit.
"I think it would be a real surprise if he we were able to participate in the postseason," he added. "I've still got a sliver of hope very late, but highly unlikely."
Cleveland will play either Milwaukee or Chicago in the next round. The Bulls lead that series, 3-2, but the Bucks have won the last two games after dropping the first three.
Love, playing in his first postseason, averaged 14.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in Cleveland's four-game sweep of Boston.
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