Kevin Love out vs. Nets

The Cavs won’t have Kevin Love for their last game before the All-Star break.

At Wednesday’s shootaround, the team said that Love won’t play Wednesday night when the Cavs host the Nets. Love has played in two games for a total of 20 so minutes since returning from foot injury and surgery. The team does say that Love’s absence is part of the plan for him and not a setback.

It does stink that Love won’t play, as he’s made the team better and more watchable in his limited minutes so far. But it’s likely best to bring him back slowly and to get him as many games as possible after the All-Star break in the end part of the season.

It’s unclear who will start for the team in Love’s place, as Ante Zizic is listed as out and so is Tristan Thompson. One option would be Channing Frye, or Larry Drew could play David Nwaba at the four with Larry Nance Jr. at the five and a wing group of Collin Sexton, Brandon Knight and Cedi Osman or Nik Stauskas, depending on Osman’s health.

When Love sat the second half of the Cavs’ win over the Knicks, Stauskas took his place in the lineup.