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Andrew LopezESPN
Cleveland Cavaliers striker Kevin Love will return to action Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans after losing all but two games this season.
“His role tonight will be limited,” Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff said before the game in New Orleans. “We have that number in mind. We want to put him in his position where he can grow up. We don’t want to exaggerate anything tonight that he has been affected by Sunday and then has impacted as he moves forward.”
Love will be in the starting lineup, the team announced, alongside Larry Nance Jr. and Jarrett Allen on the front court. The game also marks Nance’s return to training. He has lost more than a month with a fractured finger in his left hand.
The versatile striker was an important part of Cleveland’s stunning start to the season and his defense has been heavily wasted during the team’s fading in recent weeks.
Love hasn’t played since Dec. 27 due to a calf injury. Bickerstaff said Love’s goal is to play “as many games as possible” the rest of the season.
“If that means we have to monitor his minutes more than we normally would, I think that’s where we focus … trying to get him into as many games as we can to finish the season,” Bickerstaff said.
Bickerstaff said he doesn’t care about re-training Love in the Cavs lineup.
“I think all the guys understand how good Kevin is,” Bickerstaff said. “They understand the impact it can have on a game. How it makes all players better basketball players. My expectation is that it will take a while because it’s been out for a while and there will be a period of adjustment.”