CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from Dec. 29, 2020.
While they're currently one of the NBA's only remaining undefeated teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers shared some bad news on Tuesday. Ahead of their matchup with the New York Knicks at Rocket MortgageFieldhouse, the Cavs announced that forward Kevin Love has suffered a calf strain that will cause him to miss at least the next month of action.
A 5-time All-Star, Love could be seen limping off the court after playing nine minutes in Cleveland's 118-94 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. An MRI administered on Monday revealed a calf strain, which Love will have re-evaluated in the next three-to-four weeks.
Despite the absence of their All-Star forward, the Cavs still managed to hold off a 76ers team that's considered to be a contender in the Eastern Conference. At 3-0, Cleveland is just one of four undefeated teams remaining in the NBA this season, joining the Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks.
Without Love in the lineup, the Cavs have been starting forward Larry Nance Jr. in a starting lineup that has also included center Andre Drummond, forward Cedi Osman and guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. Rookie forward Isaac Okoro, who had started Cleveland's first two games of the season, missed Sunday's win over the 76ers with a foot sprain. Okoro is also expected to miss Tuesday's game against the Knicks.
In three games this season, Nance has averaged 8.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists.