CLEVELAND (AP) – Cavaliers star forward Kevin Love is still having back issues and will not play Thursday night against Phoenix.
Love expected to be in the lineup despite injuring his back in the first half of Monday night’s blowout loss to Golden State. However, he was unable to make it completely through the morning shootaround and the Cavs are giving him another day to rest.
Love sat out the second half against the Warriors and afterward said he didn’t think he would miss any more time.
This will be the fifth game Love will miss this season. He was also out with a sore knee and food poisoning. Love is averaging 20.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in what has been his best season for far for the NBA champions.
James Jones will start for Love, the veteran forward’s first start since April 2, 2015.