Love still '2-3 weeks' away from return

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love met with a specialist on Wednesday to examine his surgically repaired right hand, and it doesn't appear the former All-Star will be ready to hit the court anytime soon.

The team says Love's hand is ''healing properly.'' But the team also says Love has not been cleared for contact or full practice yet and that his next evaluation by doctors won't come for another two to three weeks.

That timeline would seem to push any potential return to game action much closer to April rather than the middle of March, which is what some hoped for when he broke his hand for the second time on Jan. 8.

Love has only played in 18 games this season because of his twice-broken hand.