Despite treatment on an off day Thursday, Irving's knee had not improved by Friday morning and the Cavs decided to send him for more evaluation. Irving had an MRI following Game 4 of the Cavs' series against the
Chicago Bulls and it revealed no structural damage. That peace of mind helped Irving go out and score 25 points in the following game.
But he has tweaked the knee in game action twice since then and hasn't been able to finish the Cavs' past two playoff games. He had 10 points and six assists in the Cavs' Game 1 victory but has largely been reduced to a decoy role over the past two series.
The team doctors believe Irving suffered the injury because he was compensating for a sprained right foot he suffered against the
Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs last month. Earlier in the week he'd expressed optimism that the time off between series had allowed the tendinitis to calm down.
"This is obviously one of the most frustrating things I've ever dealt with," Irving said after Game 1. "We do days and days and go out there and it's nothing like simulating a game so for me, I just have to continue to do what I've been doing and do whatever is necessary to put myself out there. I'm all about winning. That's the only thing that matters."
If Irving can't go,
Matthew Dellavedova will likely start at point guard for the Cavaliers.
"Next man up," Blatt said. "Guys got to step in and pick up for him."
LeBron James would also take on an expanded role handling the ball.
"That means less touches in the paint," James said. "If one of our ball-handlers is out, I've got to handle the ball more along with (Dellavedova). It changes my approach a little bit."
Dellavedova played 25 minutes and had zero points on 0-for-6 shooting in Game 1 against Atlanta but performed admirably in Game 6 of the second round against Chicago, scoring 19 points when Irving's injuries limited him to just 12 minutes.
"I'll be ready to go," Dellavedova said. "Whatever the team needs."
