NBA: Love out six weeks after knee surgery

LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers gives a tap to Kevin Love #0 after Love scored against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Jan. 8, 2017, in Phoenix, Arizona. AFP

LOS ANGELES, United States — Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love is to face six weeks on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his troublesome left knee, the team said Tuesday.

Love, 28, underwent a scan on the knee on Sunday after experiencing pain in the joint during Saturday’s 125-109 win over Denver.

The team had announced on Monday he would undergo a further assessment. On Tuesday the Cavs confirmed he had gone under the knife to remove a “loose body” from his knee.

READ: NBA: Knee injury means no Love for Cavs on Valentine’s Day | NBA’s Kevin Love spends meaningful time with Manila kids, orphans

The procedure was performed in New York at the Hospital for Special Surgery, the Cavs said.

The four-time NBA All-Star had already been ruled out of Tuesday’s road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Love is averaging 20.0 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists for the Cavaliers, who have won five of their past six games and improved to 37-16, the best record in the Eastern Conference and fourth-best in the league overall.

News of Love’s injury absence comes just weeks after LeBron James bemoaned the Cavs’ threadbare playing resources.

James blamed a January losing streak on the team’s over-reliance on himself, Love and Kyrie Irving. CBB