Game Reports

Report: Cavs preparing as if they won’t have Kevin Love in lineup for season opener

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Kevin Love’s strained right calf has forced the Cleveland Cavaliers to prepare as if he won’t be in the lineup for Wednesday night’s opener against the Charlotte Hornets.

Love was removed near the end of the first half of the Dec. 12 preseason game against the Indiana Pacers after suffering the injury. Since that time, he’s been unable to practice and sat out the final three preseason matchups.

A final determination will come after Wednesday’s shootaround. Larry Nance Jr. will take Love’s spot if he’s unable to go.

Nance only recently cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol, but Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff wants to be prepared if Love is unavailable.

“It’s best to just move Larry in that spot and increase his minutes and workload,” Bickerstaff said. “Obviously, if Kevin is out, we will have to play some small ball. But I think to start games and the majority of the minutes, I think it’s a good thing to just move Larry because he’s got a similar skill set, his ability to pass the ball and all those things. And he’s a good player.”

The second game of the year for the Cavaliers will take place on Saturday night against the Detroit Pistons.

Only time will tell if Love can suit up for that matchup.

Brad Sullivan

Brad Sullivan is a lead writer for Cavaliers Nation. He has spent much of life in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and has remained a Cavalier fan from their 1970 beginnings through the return of LeBron James. While that fandom was sorely tested during the Reign of Error known simply by one word, Stepien, that overall historical perspective will be part of his writing for Cavaliers Nation in the months ahead.

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Recent Posts

Report: Franz Wagner ‘pierced’ one of Jarrett Allen’s ribs with an elbow during Game 4

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen suffered a rib injury due to an elbow from Orlando…

4 hours ago

Marcus Morris on Cavs fans: ‘I just wanted to get an opportunity to show why they love me and why I love y’all’

Cleveland Cavaliers veteran Marcus Morris had a strong performance in his squad's pivotal Game 5…

1 day ago

Brian Windhorst snaps on Cavs, implies they’re shooting themselves in foot vs. Magic

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst went off on the Cleveland Cavaliers for not taking advantage of the…

2 days ago

Report: Cavs teammates had ‘patronizing’ reactions to Darius Garland 3-pointer earlier in Magic series

Teammates of Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Daris Garland reportedly gave the floor general multiple "patronizing…

3 days ago

Emoni Bates signs off on idea that he could win Most Improved Player in 2024-25 NBA season

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Emoni Bates may have come into the 2023-24 campaign in hopes of…

4 days ago

Donovan Mitchell shoulders blame for ugly Cavs loss: ‘I’m disappointed in myself’

Cleveland Cavaliers star guard Donovan Mitchell said that he's to blame for the team's blowout…

5 days ago