Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is recovering well from a shoulder injury suffered in the 2014–15 season and last Saturday participated in his first five-on-five practice.
Love suffered the injury in Game 1 of last season's first-round series against the Boston Celtics when he got tangled with the C's center Kelly Olynyk while fighting for the ball.
"I felt good," Love said of his first five-on-five practice, according to ESPN.
"Just getting into the rhythm of the plays more than anything, just getting my legs under me and contact — 5-on-5 felt really good," the former All-Star added.
Love also said he was anxious since he has been out for nearly six months since suffering the injury.
"As far as progressing from the pad into 1-on-1, to 3-on-3, I was ready to get back out there in 5-on-5. As time goes [on], I'll get more and more accustomed to being out there playing, but today was the first step," the 27-year-old forward stated.
Love played a vital role to the Cavaliers' system last season which found success late in the year.
In his first year with Cleveland, Love played and started in 75 regular season games, averaging 16.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest.
He played in four playoff games, averaging 14.3 points, seven rebounds, and 2.5 assists per outing.
Love is still uncertain if he will play in their season opener against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 27 and will seek the advice of doctors and the Cavs' training staff.
Since the Cavaliers are trying to keep Love from re-injuring his shoulder and have him continue the recovery process, head coach David Blatt said they will not be playing him in their next two preseason games against the Memphis Grizzlies this Monday and the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday.
The Cavs are 0–2 so far in the preseason, losing to the Atlanta Hawks (98–96) and the Philadelphia 76ers (115–114).
