We have only seen Kevin Love play 18 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, and there is a chance that may not change before the year is over.
Love broke bones in his shooting hand before the season started and then broke the same bones again in a game against the Denver Nuggets on January 3. He has a CT scan scheduled for later this week to see how the bones are healing.
He is hoping to resume full-contact practice by next week, which could mean he would return to the lineup next week.
However, just because he could does not mean he should. Just like the Cleveland Cavaliers had to ask themselves when Kyrie Irving went down with an injury:
What is the point in a return this season?
The Timberwolves are 24-44, obviously nowhere near the playoff picture. What reason can you give for Kevin Love playing in the last 10 or so games of the year? The risk he runs of re-injuring himself in an inconsequential game is too high to put him out on the floor.
Obviously, Love is a competitor that wants any time on the court he can get, but shutting him down for the rest of the season has crossed the minds of the Timberwolves’ coaches and front office staff.
"If the doctor says another week to 10 days or something like that, who knows?" Love said. "I'd like to come back, but I know not playing (the rest of the season) has crossed the minds of other people, whether it's (Wolves president of basketball operations Kahn) David, Glen (Wolves owner Taylor) or coach (Rick Adelman)."
I think it is an easy decision. Let some of the backups on the Timberwolves get some experience that could prove valuable down the road. Minnesota has nothing to lose at this point, so find out what kind of bench players you have. Don’t throw Kevin Love out there, trying to win a few meaningless games.
The Timberwolves need to try to forget this season ever happened and hope for better luck next year.
