The Cleveland Cavaliers found themselves back in the winners column on Sunday afternoon, but it wasn’t all good news. Kevin Love played just 12 minutes due to a lower back injury, and did not return to the game after the half.
Love’s had his troubles with a lower back injury on and off for months now, but this one could see him out for more than a week.
According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio, Love will stay in Cleveland for Monday’s game in Dallas to have his back evaluated further.
#Cavs F Kevin Love out at least a week? All the latest news and views from around pro hoops. #NBA https://t.co/nfiRaykiuJ
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) January 30, 2017
“A team source told me Love is likely to miss at least the rest of the week, if for no other reason than to heal. But more will be known Monday after a visit to the Cleveland Clinic.”
The Cavaliers will face some important tests in the coming week without Kevin Love. If Love were to miss a week on the dot, he would out on the Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, and Washington Wizards.
The lone Timberwolves match-up would have been sternly circled on Kevin’s calendar since the release of the schedule, welcoming his former teammates to his new city. The Mavericks are riding high after an impressive win against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, while the Wiz will be a true test. They’ve recently shot up the Eastern Conference standings at 5th, going 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Love played just 12 minutes against the Oklahoma Thunder, notching one point and eight rebounds on 0-4 shooting. The loss of Love will affect the already undermanned Cavaliers, who will now rely on the likes of James Jones, Channing Frye, and Richard Jefferson to fill his minutes.
Kevin Love was recently announced to his first Eastern Conference All-Star team, so news of an injury will be devastating.
Get well soon Kevin, we need you back ASAP.
