OAKLAND, Calif. – Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love completed the NBA's concussion protocols and was in the starting lineup for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.
Love was injured early in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against Boston and was not able to play in Game 7 of that series. He traveled to California with the Cavaliers and was on the floor with them during practice Wednesday at Oracle Arena.
"His approach has been great the last couple of days," Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said. "I'm happy for him."
While the Cavaliers were at full strength, Golden State forward Andre Iguodala was out because of a bone bruise in his left knee that sidelined him for the last four games of the Western Conference finals.
Thompson injured
Guard Klay Thompson went to the locker room to get treatment for what the Warriors said was a left lateral leg contusion in the first quarter. He returned to the bench as the period was about to end.
Thompson missed about half the first quarter after J.R. Smith slid into his left leg while trying to intercept a pass, knocking Thompson to the court.
Playoff purses
The winning team in these NBA Finals will get $1,194,949 more in bonus money than the losing team.
The total pool was $20 million this season, paid out to all 16 postseason teams based on how they finished in the regular season and how deep they went in the playoffs.
