Love says shoulder injury 'just a stinger,' doesn't expect to miss time

If the sight of Kevin Love racing off the court Wednesday - clutching the same shoulder he dislocated during last year's playoffs - drew a deep collective intake of breath from the Cleveland Cavaliers, they can exhale now.

Love, who suffered the injury in the second quarter of Cleveland's win over the Los Angeles Lakers, says it isn't serious. And with a week to rest up before the Cavs' next game, he doesn't expect to miss any time.

"At the time I didn't know really what it was," Love said after the game, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "Just like when you get hit in the funny bone, the elbow has shooting pain. It felt like fire was running down my arm. Just a stinger, and doctors decided we'll be cautious and use the break for it to feel better, but it actually feels OK right now."

Cavs general manager David Griffin echoed Love's optimism, saying the injury looked worse than it is.

Love, who underwent surgery after suffering the violent dislocation in April, said team doctors warned him of potential complications with the shoulder.

"I was told it could be a number of things, one being my stuff is anchored down pretty tight in there, and it will always kind of be like that," he said. "Getting full range of motion back, you can get to 90-95 percent, but getting that last little bit is always tough. It wouldn't be surprising if in the next couple days it loosens up on me and feels good."

In his second season with the Cavs, Love is averaging 15.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, while posting his lowest true shooting percentage (54.6) since his rookie season in 2008-09.