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Kelly Olynyk on Kevin Love’s claim of intentional injury: It’s ‘ridiculous’

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, left, and Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk tangle while chasing after a loose ball during the first quarter of the Cavaliers' 101-93 win in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on April 26.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, left, and Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk tangle while chasing after a loose ball during the first quarter of the Cavaliers’ 101-93 win in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on April 26.

(Thomas Ondrey / Associated Press)
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love dislocated his left shoulder in Sunday’s contentious playoff series finale against the Boston Celtics, blaming Boston center Kelly Olynyk for causing the injury.

“I thought it was a bush-league play,” Love said after the Cavaliers swept the Celtics with a 101-93 victory. “Olynyk was in a compromising position, had no chance to get the ball and it’s just too bad that he would go to those lengths to take somebody out of the game and do that to someone.

“I have no doubt in my mind that he did that on purpose. The league will take a look at it and it better be swift and just.”

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Love reportedly will miss at least two weeks because of the injury.

Olynyk said it’s “ridiculous” for Love to claim the injury wasn’t accidental.

“I would never intentionally hurt Kevin or anyone else,” Olynyk told the Boston Herald. “He locked my arm up, I locked up his as we were fighting for a loose ball. You lock up arms all the time in this league.

“I wish him a very speedy recovery, and I hope he can come back to help his team in the playoffs.”

Depending on the severity of the injury, Love could easily miss more than two weeks before returning for the Cavaliers. At minimum, he will likely sit out the Cavaliers’ next playoff series against either the Chicago Bulls or Milwaukee Bucks.

Love averaged 18.3 points and nine rebounds per game and was shooting 47% from three-point territory this postseason.

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