Kevin Love participates in full scrimmage, appears close to return for Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers got good news Thursday.
Though their quest for Zion Williamson may be taking a hit.
Kevin Love participated in a full-contact five-on-five scrimmage at practice, signaling a significant step toward his return from a foot injury.
Love played the first four games of the season before the pain of the left big-toe injury suffered in the preseason prompted doctors to recommend and perform surgery.
Love has not played since, and the Cavaliers have put together an 11-41 record largely in his absence.
Larry Drew: Love ‘moved really well’ at scrimmage
Head coach Larry Drew declined to put a timeframe on his return Thursday, but sounded encouraged by the workout.
“He actually did pretty well,” Drew told reporters. “Moved around really well. Got a little winded, which is expected. It’s the first time he’s really been in a contact situation where we actually went up and down and there was actual contact. I thought he moved really well, shot the basketball well.”
Saturday return not likely
Drew didn’t rule out Love returning for Saturday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks but told reporters a weekend appearance would be “pushing it.”
“It’s one thing to go out and get shots up on your own,” Drew said. “But when you actually have people kind of banging with you, knocking you off your course, that can take a toll on you. We’re hoping there are no setbacks. Right now it looks like there aren’t any. We’ll see how he is tomorrow.”
Love’s timetable to return was pushed back multiple times to the point where it seemed he might not play again this season. With the Cavaliers in the midst of a rebuild, there has been no urgency for his return to the court.
What about the lottery?
A five-time All-Star, Love is the best player on Cleveland’s roster. His return would make the Cavaliers more competitive, a goal that doesn’t align with earning more ping pong balls for the draft lottery featuring Williamson as the main prize.
The multi-talented athletic forward out of Duke will bring with him to the NBA his own marketing orbit and jam-packed highlight reel, making him one of the most prized prospects to come out of college in years.
The allure of Williamson led to speculation that the Cavaliers might not play Love at all again in this lost season. That appears to not be the case.
Barring a setback, Love’s first game of 2019 appears imminent.
More from Yahoo Sports:
• Browns embarrassing 2011 draft attempt revealed
• Kaepernick’s lawyer goes hard on NFL owners, Trump
• Rams star gives janitor a once-in-a-lifetime gift
• Wetzel: Brady wins even if he’s the biggest loser
