Kevin Love Injury: Wolves Would Be Wise to Rest Star Until He's 100 Percent

Kevin Love has re-fractured his right hand, and the Minnesota Timberwolves may have a dilemma. Love rushed back from the first hand injury, but the Wolves would be wise to avoid repeating that approach to his recovery.

There is a possibility the injury could require surgery, per Sports Illustrated. If surgery isn't necessary, his rehab and return could be the same as it was when he initially fractured the hand.

On October 18, Love said he fractured his hand doing knuckle push-ups, the initial timetable for a return was six-to-eight weeks, per ESPN.

He surprisingly returned on November 21, which was at least a week sooner than the earliest expected return date.

Despite putting up solid scoring (18.3 points) and rebounding numbers (14.3), his shooting percentages (35 percent from the field, 21.7 percent from three and 70 percent from the free-throw line) and the recurring injury proves he wasn't close to 100 percent.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are struggling to remain in the playoff hunt with both Love and Ricky Rubio battling injuries. Rubio has been slow to find his stride since returning from the knee injury he suffered last season.

His back has begun to bother him to add to his physical woes (Fox News).

He's averaged only 4.2 points and four assists per game this season. Even if the Wolves can get both of them on the court in the near future, neither is likely to be at 100 percent.

The Wolves need them at their best to have a shot at making this a successful season.

The last thing the team should be risking is worsening Love or Rubio's injuries. This is not a championship-level team with Love and Rubio at 100 percent—let alone at 75 or 80.

The Timberwolves' ownership and training staff should be placing more weight on their future, rather than their present.

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