Kevin Love withdraws from U.S. Olympic team

Oklahoma City Thunder trade for Kevin Love

Apr 21, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) celebrates after a three point basket against the Chicago Bulls in the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is leaving Team USA and will not compete in the Tokyo Olympics, ESPN reported Friday.

Love, 32, spent 10 days in Las Vegas preparing to compete in his second Summer Games but is still returning to form from a right-calf injury that limited him to 25 games in 2020-21.

Love played 12 minutes in a 108-80 exhibition victory against Argentina on Tuesday, finishing with one point, four rebounds and three assists.

The five-time All-Star averaged 12.2 points and 7.4 rebounds for the Cavaliers in 2020-21. Through 13 seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2008-14) and Cleveland, he has averaged 18.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 738 games (655 starts).

Love was a member of the U.S. squad that won a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

The U.S. roster lost Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal on Thursday due to health and safety protocols. Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant is also under protocols.

With Suns guard Devin Booker and Khris Middleton and Jrue Holliday of the Bucks still in the NBA Finals, only six Team USA players are currently available.

–Field Level Media

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