David Blatt said Kyrie Irving playing 44 minutes was not a factor in weakening his knee and leaving him susceptible to injury.

"There were no minute restrictions coming into Game 1," Blatt said.

Blatt initially characterized Irving's injury as being of the noncontact variety, but he now believes it occurred as a result of a collision with Klay Thompson.

David Griffin told ESPN.com that the team administered several tests on Irving's knee in the days leading up to Game 1 and that both his strength and range of motion had shown considerable improvement. Blatt added that he believes Irving's persistent tendinitis was not the direct cause of the fractured kneecap.

"You know, that's a doctor's question, but in my opinion, absolutely not," Blatt said. "It has nothing to do with it."