Cavs' Irving out next 2 games with concussion
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP)—Cavaliers rookie guard Kyrie Irving will spend the
weekend resting and recovering from his concussion.
Irving is sitting out Cleveland’s next two home games—against Milwaukee
and Philadelphia—as the Cavs follow the NBA’s new guidelines on treating head
injuries with their young star.
“He’s getting better but we are going through NBA protocol,” coach Byron
Scott said following Friday’s shootaround. “He’ll be out tonight and tomorrow
and we’ll go from there. He’s making improvement but we’re not going to risk
putting him out there until the doctors say he’s fine.”
Irving’s next chance to play will be Wednesday against Indiana. The Cavs
play their next eight games at home.
The 19-year-old Irving was at the team’s facility Friday, but Scott said the
point guard did not do any physical activity. Under the league’s concussion
guidelines, which were implemented at the start of training camps, players are
not permitted to do anything physical until their symptoms subside completely.
Scott would not address if Irving is still experiencing any symptoms.
Irving, the No. 1 overall draft pick who has helped the Cavs to a surprising
10-14 start, complained of a headache on Wednesday, when he was diagnosed with
the concussion shortly before Cleveland hosted the Los Angeles Clippers.
On Tuesday in Miami, Irving was knocked down in the foul lane while driving
to the basket in the fourth quarter and his head struck Heat guard Dwyane Wade’s
knee. Irving did not have any symptoms following the game and returned with the
team from Florida.
However, the team said his headache worsened during the night and when he
warmed up before the game.
The Cavs intend to be extra careful as they treat Irving, who was evaluated
on Thursday at the Cleveland Clinic.
“We all know how serious this thing can be and that’s why we are taking
such a cautious look at this to make sure that when he comes back he’s OK,”
Scott said. “We don’t want to put a young man at risk—that’s the biggest
thing. The NBA has done a terrific job as far as trying to diagnose and figure
out what to do with concussions.”
Ramon Sessions started Tuesday night and scored a season-high 24 points with
13 assists as the Cavaliers beat the Clippers in their first game this season
without Irving.
Sessions will continue to start while Irving is out. The Cavs also signed
Ben Uzoh from Rio Grande of the NBA Development League to a 10-day contract as
an insurance policy. Uzoh played in 42 games for New Jersey last season.
Irving is the first high-profile player to sustain a concussion since the
league applied its policy to determine when players return from head injuries.
After a player is diagnosed with a concussion, he must complete a series of
steps to confirm he’s healthy enough for competition. Once he’s symptom-free,
the player must make it through increasing stages of exertion—from a
stationary bike, to jogging, to agility work, to non-contact team drills—while
ensuring the symptoms don’t return after each one.
During this process, the neurologist hired to lead the concussion program
needs to be consulted before the player is cleared.
The NBA followed the NHL and Major League Baseball in instituting a
concussion protocol.
Scott, who won three championships during 14 seasons as a player, believes
the policy is needed—and perhaps overdue.
“I was asked the other day if I had a concussion and I don’t know,” he
said. “I got hit back in the day so many times and had headaches and woke up
and still went to practice. It wasn’t a big deal then so being cautious about it
is important and Kyrie understands right now.
“He wasn’t real happy about it the other night, but we’re doing this all in
his best interests.”