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The Cavs are going to be without Kevin Love for a little bit longer. How much longer is yet to be determined.
In a release sent out Tuesday evening, the Cavs said that Love will remain out as he receives “treatment and further evaluation for his sore left foot.” He also has consulted with Dr. Martin O’Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City as a treatment plan, and a timeline for his return is developed.
Love also spoke to the media Tuesday before the Cavs played the Hawks and offered some insight into his status.
“It’s something that happened a number of weeks back after — well, during the first preseason game against Boston,” Love said. “Tried to rest it, find the best course of action and I believe that we still are. It just kept lingering.”
Love said that he thought the plan was for him to be reevaluated after the next few weeks, but that’s he’s not sure. He’s also currently wearing a boot and has been in one for the last two days.
“The doctors go back and forth,” he said. Love also said that the pain is in his left toe and that surgery has not been discussed as an option. He added that there is not a specific diagnosis for his injury yet.
Love has struggled so far when he’s played. In four games, he’s shooting 32.3 percent from the field while averaging 19 points and 13.5 rebounds per game. For the Cavs, who as of this writing as the NBA’s lone winless team, getting Love healthy matters and will help at some point. With the direction the season is heading, there should be no rush to get him back on the court.
As for the Cavs’ coaching change, Love was complimentary of both ex-head coach Tyronn Lue and “voice” Larry Drew. Love said that he “didn’t know if he’d still be here” if it weren’t for Lue.
“He’s one of those guys that will always be very important in my career,” he said. “We established a great relationship and I’m going to miss him.”
When asked about Drew, Love pointed to Drew’s success filling in for Lue last year and his experience in the NBA as a reason to feel good about the hire.
“If he’s able to get that contract locked down and step right in, he’s going to do a great job for us,” he said. “LD is a guy that I believe in because especially when Ty wasn’t there, he was the voice for us. He was the eyes and ears. I love what LD does. I love the energy he brings.”