Kevin Love Injury: Updates on Timberwolves Star's Thumb

Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Love suffered a thumb injury during the Timberwolves victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night.

UPDATE: Saturday, December 15 at 8:04 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

Wolves Radio personality Alan Horton announced that Kevin Love is a late scratch for Saturday night's game versus the Dallas Mavericks:

"

Wow. Kevin Love late scratch with flu-like symptoms. Dante Cunningham will start. #twolves #mavs #nba

— Alan Horton (@WolvesRadio) December 16, 2012"

---End of Update---

It doesn't appear the injury to Love's thumb is serious, though, per the  Timberwolves public relations Twitter page:

"

#TWolves Kevin Love suffered a right thumb contusion in the 4th Q of the Wolves win over NOLA. X-rays were negative and he is day-to-day.

— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) December 15, 2012"

The injury had nothing to do with Love having a tough night against the Hornets. Thankfully, Nikola Pekovic came to the rescue, closing out the game in what was an eventual victory for Minnesota.

Love shot an abysmal 4-for-18 from the floor, finishing with 14 points in total.

Love being listed as day-to-day is huge for the Timberwolves. The star power forward missed the first nine games of the season with an unrelated injury, so the last thing Minnesota needed was for its best player to miss more time.

The Timberwolves are in the midst of a three-game winning streak that has propelled them over the .500-mark and back into contention in the Western Conference.

Just to underscore how important Love is to this team, he is currently the Timberwolves' leading scorer (19.9) and rebounder (14.2). If this team hopes to compete for the rest of the season, it must keep Love healthy and on the floor.

This injury could have an effect on Love's game in a few ways. He could end up having trouble gripping and catching the ball, or it could have an adverse effect on his jump shot.

Considering the fact that it's a long season, the Timberwolves might find it prudent to sit their star player for the next game on Saturday night against the Dallas Mavericks to ensure his thumb injury doesn't get worse.

Stay with Bleacher Report for all the latest on Love's condition.