Cavaliers All-Star Kevin Love to miss six weeks after knee surgery

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to remove a loose body from his left knee this morning at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, the Cavs announced.

Love will now undergo a period of rest and rehab and is expected to return to play in approximately six weeks. He will miss Sunday's All-Star Game. NBA commissioner Adam Silver will name a replacement.

Love, who has missed time this season with back issues, is having his best season in his third year with the Cavaliers, averaging 20 points and 11.1 rebounds and is shooting 38.4% on three-pointers.

GALLERY: KEVIN LOVE THROUGH THE YEARS

The Cavaliers (37-16) are in first place in the Eastern Conference, but are only two games ahead of the Boston Celtics.

If Love's recovery follows the six-week timetable, he will be back in late March or early April, which is the final 10-game stretch of the season.

It’s another significant injury for the Cavaliers, who have been without starting shooting guard J.R. Smith (fractured right thumb) since late December. Smith is not expected to return until March. They also have some minor injuries, with shooting guard Iman Shumpert having sprained his left ankle.

This injury sets up an interesting week for the Cavaliers, ahead of the Feb. 23 trade deadline. The Cavaliers signed former No. 2 overall pick Derrick Williams to a 10-day contract last week, and they have an open roster spot (after trading injured center Chris Andersen on Monday) with trade exceptions available ($4.8 million is the largest trade exception) to acquire another player.

Also, don't be surprised if the Cavaliers search the buyout market after the trade deadline for a veteran, playmaking guard.