CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from Jan. 6, 2021.
More than a month after appearing in his most recent NBA game, it appears Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is nearing a return.
On Wednesday, the Cavs announced that Love will resume basketball activities after suffering a calf strain that has kept him out of action since Dec. 27.
"Cavaliers forward Kevin Love has begun individual basketball activities after undergoing a series of treatment and rehabilitation programs to heal a right calf strain he reaggravated on Dec. 27 against Philadelphia at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse," the Cavs said in a statement ahead of Wednesday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. "Further examination and an MRI administered at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health on Dec. 28 confirmed the injury. Love missed all four preseason games as a result of the right calf strain before returning to regular season action at Detroit on Dec. 26. His return to full team participation will be reassessed daily through accompanying rehabilitation and treatment activities. His return to play status will be updated as appropriate."
Love's impending return could provide a boost to a Cleveland team currently sitting in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings at 10-11. Despite the Cavs' promising start, their frontcourt has recently undergone a rash of injuries, with center Andre Drummond and forward Larry Nance Jr. having both missed games in the past week.
A five-time All-Star, Love averaged 17.6 points and 9.8 rebounds in 56 games with the Cavs last season. He only played in two games during the 2020-21 season before reaggravating his calf strain.