Cavaliers’ Kevin Love leaves game against Celtics with bruised thigh

Cavaliers forward Kevin Love left Friday’s game against the Celtics with a thigh bruise.

In the waning moments of the third quarter Friday night, Cavaliers forward Kevin Love crashed to the floor and appeared to be grabbing his left knee. Love bumped legs with Celtics guard Marcus Smart, but there did not seem to be a significant amount of contact on the play.

He writhed in pain on the court for several minutes before ultimately being helped back to Cleveland’s bench by a number of medical attendants. Following a short rest, Love walked back to the Cavaliers’ locker room under his own power and the team announced he had sustained a left thigh bruise and would not return to action.

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Love scored 10 points and added 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 22 minutes of action. The Celtics won the game 104–103 on a buzzer-beating three by Avery Bradley.