Kevin Love Makes Season Debut with the Cavaliers

American NBA player Kevin Love answers questions from reporters during a press conference in 2014
American NBA player Kevin Love answers questions from reporters during a press conference in 2014. Photo by Ezra Acayan/REX/Shutterstock (3852894i)

After signing a four-year, $120 million extension with the Cavs last summer, Kevin Love has been sidelined for most of the season after having foot surgery.

Despite LeBron James’ departure from Cleveland, Love decided to extend with the Cavs and become the franchise’s star. While he got off to a good start to the season, scoring 19 points and averaging 13.5 rebounds per game, he suffered a serious left foot injury that kept him on the sidelines for 50 games.

Love finally returned to action for the woeful Cavaliers on Friday night in their 119-103 loss to the Washington Wizards, a small bit of good news in what has been a horrific season for the team.

The power forward only logged six minutes in Friday’s game, in what is part of a plan to gradually increase Love’s workload as he returns to action. He scored four points and gathered one rebound and one assist. While this might not seem like much on the scoresheet, Love’s return gives a breath of fresh air to Cleveland.

For a team that has struggled in the post-LeBron era and currently has a 11-44 record, any news is good news, and Kevin Love’s return will hopefully allow Cleveland to at least be a bit more competitive for the rest of the season.