It’s been a very weird month for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kevin Love has been in the thick of it all. The All-Star big man has been embroiled in controversy with regard to Isaiah Thomas and, prior to that, various members of Cleveland’s roster reportedly sniped at Love for leaving a high-profile game with illness.
On Tuesday evening, the Cavs were back in action in front of a national television audience against the Detroit Pistons. This time, it was a hand injury that sent Love to the locker room and, as we soon learned, will cost him some time.
Here's where Kevin Love broke his hand. Major blow to the Cavs… https://t.co/vQeyGmxUZS
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) January 31, 2018
Images of Love’s left hand emerged, courtesy of the TNT broadcast.
Well @NBAonTNT I’m not sure I needed THIS close a look at the hand Kevin Love injured in the first quarter vs the Pistons 😬
Dennis Scott says Love has now gone for x-rays. pic.twitter.com/HMKwGSpKdt— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) January 31, 2018
Then, after an X-ray, word broke that Love suffered a non-displaced fracture in that left hand and he would not be returning to action.
The X-ray on Kevin Love's left hand revealed a non-displaced fracture in his left hand fifth metacarpal. Love will not return to play tonight. His status will be updated after additional examination and consultation tomorrow in Cleveland, per the Cavs.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 31, 2018
Beyond that, Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that Love’s injury could cost him 6-8 weeks.
Kevin Love likely out 6-8 weeks
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) January 31, 2018
The reported timetable would also keep Love out of the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, leaving yet another spot open for an injury replacement and providing an unfortunate feeling of deja vu for Love.
Last season, Kevin Love underwent knee surgery on Feb. 14, causing him to miss the All-Star Game on Feb. 19. This season he breaks his hand on Jan. 30 with the ASG around the corner on Feb. 18.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 31, 2018
While Love has come under fire in some circles, it would be difficult to heavily criticize his play this season. Entering Tuesday’s game, Love was averaging 18.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game (23.1 PER) and, while his defensive credentials are not overly impressive, his valuable and varied skill set helps to make Cleveland a very dangerous offensive team on a nightly basis. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, it will be some time until Love will get to help them on the floor again.
