In Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Kyrie Irving scored a playoff career-high 42 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers back from a double-digit deficit to grab a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Boston Celtics.
During his standout performance, Irving suffered what appeared to be an ankle injury late in the third quarter after slightly landing on Terry Rozier‘s foot. He immediately went down in a heap to the floor in a lot of pain grabbing at his ankle where he responded by retying his shoe and remaining in the game scoring 13 more points in the contest on his way to his career night.
Following the critical win, Irving was quite honest about the injury and his outlook moving forward.
https://youtu.be/VbO9A7vt4ao?t=2m35s
“I’ve twisted my ankle so many times, that plays like that. You have two choices: Sit there and kinda wallow in the sorrow of you actually twisting your ankle, or capture the moment. My adrenaline is still going at this point. So I’m pretty sure when I get home, my body will probably hate me, but It’s the magnitude of the moment and what’s at stake. I wasn’t coming out for any margin. I knew how much we needed this game. How much my teammates needed me, and the importance of me leading these guys as well as Bron”
Although the Cavaliers had grabbed a five-point edge at that point in the third quarter, Irving’s departure would have made a huge impact on the game. He had just begun to heat up with the Celtics struggling to find a response for his scoring surge that swayed the entire game in the defending champion’s favor.
That said, Irving’s ankle will be something to keep an eye on moving forward how it responds in the coming days could be huge to both his availability and effectiveness on the court. If he is hampered by any means, it will once again mean the weight of the series is back on LeBron James‘ shoulders.