Kyrie Irving Injury Update: Cavaliers Star to Have Season-Ending Knee Surgery

Many expected Kyrie Irving's NBA Finals to be over after he had to leave Game 1 a knee injury. Friday provided clarity regarding just how long that setback will shelve the Cleveland Cavaliers point guard.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Irving fractured his kneecap in the 108-100 overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. On Saturday, the Cavaliers announced Irving had surgery at the Cleveland Clinic:

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Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving had successful surgery this morning in Cleveland at the Cleveland Clinic to repair his fractured left knee cap. The surgery was performed by Cavaliers head team physician Dr. Richard Parker and Dr. Damien Billow. Dr. James Rosneck assisted. Irving's return to basketball activity is projected to be in three to four months and appropriate updates will be issued as he moves through the recovery process.

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Irving took to Instagram to thank everyone for their support:

"Very very disappointing for him. We feel terrible for him. ... this injury has nothing to do with previous knee issue," Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert said, via Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today.

Irving suffered the injury while dribbling during the overtime period of Game 1. He had to exit the contest, and ABC cameras subsequently showed him visibly limping back to the locker room. After the loss, Irving sounded despondent when speaking to reporters:

The 23-year-old has been suffering from knee tendinitis throughout the playoffs. Bleacher Report's Ethan Skolnick wondered if that somehow played into the broken kneecap:

Cleveland might only be down 1-0 in the series, but Irving's injury, coupled with Kevin Love's absence, might be too much for the Cavs to overcome.

LeBron James' one-man show wasn't enough to beat Golden State on Thursday night. Now, with the team's second-best scoring threat out, even more pressure will be heaped upon James' shoulders.

Irving's injury means Matthew Dellavedova will likely join the Cleveland starting lineup for Game 2. According to NBA.com, the Cavaliers have a 104.5 offensive rating with Dellavedova on the court and a 109.4 rating when he's off it. Their defense does improve slightly, though.

In order for the Cavs to win the title, James almost certainly has to play at a historic level for the duration of the Finals.