The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without forward Kevin Love for up to four weeks after the five-time All-Star aggravated a right calf strain over the weekend.
Love’s injury was initially diagnosed during the pre-season, and he sat out the 2020-21 opener against the Charlotte Hornets last Wednesday.
Love made his season debut at the Detroit Pistons on Saturday and saw over 37 minutes of action in a double-overtime win for Cleveland.
During that game, he became the ninth player in league history to reach 13,000 points, 7,000 rebounds and 1,000 made three-pointers, joining Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Paul Pierce, Carmelo Anthony, Rasheed Wallace and Antawn Jamison.
Love, however, left Sunday’s visit from the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter and did not return.
The Cavaliers released a statement on Tuesday which read: "Further examination and an MRI administered on Monday at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health confirmed the injury.
"Love will undergo a series of treatments and rehabilitation and will be reassessed in approximately three to four weeks. His status will be updated as appropriate."
Entering Tuesday’s visit from the New York Knicks, Cleveland were one of four remaining undefeated teams in the NBA at 3-0.
The Cavaliers haven’t won their first four games of a season since opening 6-0 in 2016-17, and they last won four in a row overall during a five-game run from March 28-April 5, 2018 – James’ last season during his second stint with Cleveland.
