Cavaliers' Kevin Love in concussion protocol, will miss Game 7 vs. Celtics

Jeff Zillgitt | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Cavaliers' Kevin Love out for Game 7 vs. Celtics Cleveland forward Kevin Love is in the league concussion protocol and will miss the decisive Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals in Boston on Sunday.

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Kevin Love has been placed in the NBA's concussion protocol and will miss Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, the team announced Saturday.

His status will be updated as appropriate.

Love collided with Boston's Jayson Tatum in the first quarter of Friday's Game 6 and missed the remainder of the contest, which Cleveland won, 109-99.

The collision happened as Tatum tried to get through a screen. Love fell to the ground, and the Cavs intentionally fouled to stop the game. Love went to the bench, sat down and then went to the locker room with a Cavs trainer.

Cleveland general manager Koby Altman also went to the locker room to check on Love, who was sidelined with a concussion during the 2016 NBA Finals and late this season.

Despite not having Love, the Cavs played well enough to save their season. LeBron James had 46 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

Should the Cavs advance to the NBA Finals with a win, Love would have to pass the necessary steps to be cleared to play.

According to the league's requirements, a player may not return until:

He is without concussion-related symptoms at rest He has been evaluated by a physician He has successfully completed the NBA's return-to-participation exertion process (includes riding a stationary bike, jogging, agility work and non-contact team drills; player must be symptom-free after each step) A team physician has discussed the return-to-participation process and decision with the director of the NBA's concussion program

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