The Cleveland Cavaliers took a 2-1 lead in their NBA Finals series against the Golden State Warriors after a dogfight in Game 3 and guards Matthew Dellavedova and Iman Shumpert paid the price physically for their valiant efforts.
Dellavedova continued to surprise the basketball world filling in for the injured Kyrie Irving and had a breakout performance in Game 3 tallying 20 points in more than 38 minutes of action.
Unfortunately for the Aussie, he was sent to the hospital following the game after experiencing severe cramping.
After receiving treatment he was released Wednesday and was given clearance to play in Game 4 which will still be in Cleveland, the Associated Press reported.
"I've felt like I've pushed the limit a few times, but that's probably the tiredest I've been. I'm feeling good now, though, so it's good we don't have to play back-to-backs," Dellavedova said.
The 24-year-old received praises from Cavaliers head coach David Blatt and teammate LeBron James.
"He plays as hard as he can every day. He plays right. He's not afraid. He plays courageously. And everybody on his team has his back. It's not an issue of confidence. He is going to give you whatever he has," Blatt stated according to ESPN.
James added, "He's going to give everything he's got. His body, he's going to throw his body all over the place. And he's going to compete at a high level however many minutes he's out on the floor."
Meanwhile, Shumpert suffered a left shoulder contusion after bumping in to a screen by Warriors forward Draymond Green, ESPN reported.
He headed to the locker room but returned and completed nearly 32 minutes of duty for the Cavs in Game 3 although he only had three points.
ESPN added in the report that Shumpert will have imaging tests on the injured shoulder Wednesday.
"It happens. Guys set screens, and you usually go shoulder to shoulder a lot throughout a game, and that time it just hurt a little bit more than usual," Shumpert said.
