Kevin Love returns vs. Bucks, will play on a minutes restriction

Kevin Love is back.

At his pregame press conference Monday night, interim head coach Larry Drew said that Love will play Monday against the Bucks after missing 17 games with a left hand injury. Drew added that Love will start at center and will be on a minutes restriction.

“It’s a huge lift [to have Kevin back],” Drew said. “He gives us that real inside presence along with his ability shoot the ball from the outside. And more than anything, I think we really miss being able to go to someone else inside other than LeBron.”

In other Cavs injury news, Drew said Kyle Korver’s status is still be determined as he deals with foot soreness. He is considered a game time decision.

He missed the Cavs’ last game due to a personal issue. Tristan Thompson, meanwhile, has now been out the two weeks the team said he would miss, but Drew said there is not definitive date for his return yet. He did say Thompson has been moving around well in practice.

Update, 6:59 p.m.

Kyle Korver will play and will start for the Cavs.