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Andrew LopezESPN
Cleveland Cavaliers striker Kevin Love will return to action on Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans, having missed just two games this season.
“Your role tonight will be limited,” said Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff, ahead of the game in New Orleans. “We kind of have that number in mind. We want to put it in a position where it can grow. We don’t want to overdo it tonight, where it was impacted on Sunday and then impacted in the future.”
Love will be on the starting line, the team announced, alongside Larry Nance Jr. and Jarrett Allen on the attacking court. The game marks Nance’s return to the roster as well. He lost more than a month with a fractured finger in his left hand.
The versatile striker was a big part of Cleveland’s surprise at the start of the season and his defense was sorely missed during the team’s collapse in recent weeks.
Love hasn’t played since December 27 because of a calf injury. Bickerstaff said Love’s goal is to play “as many games as possible” for the rest of the season.
“If that means that we have to monitor his minutes more than usual, I think that’s where our focus is … trying to put him in as many games as we can to end the season,” said Bickerstaff.
Bickerstaff said he is not concerned with bringing Love back to the Cavs team.
“I think all the guys understand how good Kevin is,” said Bickerstaff. “They understand the impact it can have on a game. How it makes each player a better basketball player. My expectation is that it will take a little while because he is away for a while and there will be an adjustment period.”