On any other team, Kyrie Irving’s postseason may have ended weeks ago. Instead, the Cavaliers point guard has tried to labor through ankle and now knee injuries that have caused immense tendonitis.
According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN — everyone involved, including his dad and agent, are at odds with the Cavs about how to properly handle it.
There’s been some tension between these two sides for weeks now. Irving’s father and Wechsler, sources said, have been preaching caution with Irving and this knee issue. Naturally, they are focused on his long-term health and have concern that playing on a weakened knee — what the Cavs have said publicly was a bad case of tendinitis — could put him at risk of suffering a greater injury. Going to see Andrews was part of the entire group’s efforts to get a full handle on what Irving was facing and get independent advice on the situation.
Of course on the other side, the Cavs want Irving to play as long as he’s not seriously hurt. As Irving was limping through the start of the conference finals against the Hawks, it was easy to identify some mild friction. As Irving was preparing to get a second opinion, there was a sense he was being challenged to play through it.
The 23-year-old Irving has his bright future to worry about, so of course there would be concern from all those involved.
The parties need to determine if Irvin is hurting or truly is injured.