Cavs' Love hopes to return from hand injury March 23 vs. Suns

Kevin Love is circling March 23 on his calendar.

The Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star told Cleveland.com's Joe Vardon that he hopes to play against the Phoenix Suns when they pay a visit to Quicken Loans Arena next Friday.

While he wouldn't say for sure that he'll be in uniform March 23 - opportunities to practice will be limited, since the team is playing every other day until then - Love is viewing that date as a goal for when to return.

The 29-year-old has been sidelined since Jan. 31 after suffering a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal the night prior against the Detroit Pistons, with his recovery set at approximately six-to-eight weeks.

Being on the floor against Phoenix would beat that timetable by just a few days.

Cleveland has gone 10-8 in his absence and is coming off a convincing 129-107 victory over the Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Tuesday night. Love will rejoin a roster that's drastically different from the one he last played with, as the Cavs underwent an extreme makeover at the trade deadline by bringing aboard younger pieces like Jordan Clarkson, Rodney Hood, and Larry Nance Jr.

In his fourth season with the organization, he's averaging a near double-double of 17.9 points and 9.4 rebounds, while shooting 40.4 percent from 3-point range.