Kevin Love to Miss 6-8 Weeks With Broken Hand

The Minnesota Timberwolves were handed their first misfortune of the season today with the announcement of an injury to star Kevin Love. The 5th year Power Forward broke his right hand during a workout early Wednesday morning and is expected to miss a minimum of 6 weeks. The 6-8 weeks he is expected to be out could end up forcing him to miss as many as 20 games. With only 82 games in the regular season, Love’s injury will have the T-wolves playing for their playoff lives much earlier than they thought.

The only silver lining in this situation is that Love’s absence will give 2nd year Forward and #2 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Derrick Williams, a chance to step up and fill in. Williams had flashes of greatness last season and averaged just under 9 points per game in only 21.5 minutes per game. The Wolves offseason pickups that added depth to the roster will be called on early and often to help ease the burden of Love’s injury.

The Timberwolves open the season at home against the Sacramento Kings on Friday, November 2nd.