Kyrie Irving: 'Cleveland Cavaliers will be playing angry'

Kyrie Irving has vowed that the Cleveland Cavaliers will play with rage next season following their defeat in the NBA Finals.

David Blatt's men lost 4-2 in the title series against the Golden State Warriors after being ravaged by injuries to key players, including the point guard.

Irving, who sustained a fractured kneecap in game one of the Finals, is adamant that his side are going to come out firing to earn their place back in the title match next season.

"From me there's going to be a lot more rage, a lot more emotion," Irving told reporters.

"There won't be too much smiling or anything like that from our team. That's the mentality we have to have. We're looking forward to the challenge."

The 23-year-old is expected to miss the early stages of the campaign, but could return before January after undergoing surgery for his knee injury.