NBA teams
Dave McMenamin, ESPN Staff Writer 7y

Kevin Love forced out early with food poisoning, loses 10 pounds in past few days

NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers

CLEVELAND -- The injury bug already reared its ugly head this season for the Cavaliers, taking down J.R. Smith's thumb, Chris Andersen's Achilles, and to a lesser extent, Kyrie Irving's hamstring and Mike Dunleavy's ankle in its path.

Following the Cavs' 90-86 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue revealed his team is also dealing with the flu.

Kevin Love had it worst, as he exited the game with 6:54 remaining in the fourth quarter and did not return because of his illness that began as food poisoning, believed to be linked to sea bass he ate on the team's flight back from Charlotte on Saturday, according to Lue.

"When I got the call from [Cavs head athletic trainer] Steve [Spiro], he said [Love] had lost 10 pounds and he was throwing up and whatever else I can't say," Lue said.

Love still contributed a double-double -- 12 points and 11 rebounds, albeit on 5-for-19 shooting -- in 24 minutes to help the depleted Cavs to the win.

"He came out there and gave us 24 strong minutes, which we needed," Lue said. "He had 12 and 11 in those 24 minutes, but just his presence on the floor was big for us and for him to gut it out the way he did was big for us."

Lue canceled shootaround Monday morning to give Love time to rest, opting for a walk-through at the arena instead. Channing Frye and LeBron James were also under the weather, according to Lue. James left the arena toting a bag filled with fluids and medicine.

"Can't have any excuses no matter what's going on with the team," James said. "Has to be next man up and when guys' numbers are called they've got to be ready to go. As ugly as it was tonight, just got to find a way to get through it, and we did that."

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