Cavs’ Irving out for Game 2, Hawks’ Carroll still iffy

Published on Friday, 5/22/15, at 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
Updated on Friday, 5/22/15, at 7:20 p.m. Eastern.

UPDATE: Irving officially declared ‘out’ of Game 2. Also, he flew to Florida on Friday morning to visit Dr. James Andrews, who confirmed Cavs’ original diagnosis. No further MRI will be required and Irving is ‘questionable’ for Game 3.

Trailing Cleveland 1-0 in the Eastern Conference finals, Atlanta goes into tonight’s Game 2 hoping to have ace defender DeMarre Carroll.

Carroll hurt his knee in Wednesday’s Game 1 loss to the Cavaliers. An MRI on Thursday revealed a bone bruise but no structural damage.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Carroll was at this morning’s shoot-around wearing a knee brace. However, he wasn’t made available to the media and his status was labeled to be a game-time decision.

11Alive Atlanta, a CBS affiliate, tweeted that Carroll was ‘out’ about 30 minutes ago. However, Carroll told ESPN’s Brit McHenry that “we’ll see” when he arrived at Philips Arena in the last 15 minutes.

Atlanta head coach Mike Budenholzer just told multiple media members that Carroll will go out for warmups and see how he feels before a decision is made.

Carroll is in a contract season and has had a sensational postseason. He matched Dominique Wilkins’ franchise playoff record by scoring 20 points or more six straight games. The Missouri product has led the Hawks in scoring during the playoffs, averaging 16.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

Cavs starting point guard Kyrie Irving remains ‘questionable’ as he copes with injuries to his ankle and knee. He was not present at Cleveland’s shoot-around this morning.

Most books have the Hawks favored by 2.5 with a total of 194 or 194.5. The Cavs are +115 on the money line.

Tip-off on TNT is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Eastern.