Timberwolves star Kevin Love re-fractures right hand

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love has re-fractured his right hand.

The team said an MRI on Saturday revealed that Love re-fractured his third metacarpal in the hand and that he will be examined by a hand specialist in New York.

The original injury, sustained Oct. 17, forced Love to miss the first three weeks of the season and has hampered his shooting. He re-injured the hand during the third quarter Thursday niight at Denver.

Love is averaged 18.3 points and 14.0 rebounds, both team highs, in 18 games.

Also Saturday, the Wolves scratched point guard Ricky Rubio for their night game against Portland.

Rubio has back spasms that forced him to miss the previous three games. The Timberwolves are being cautious with Rubio, who started experiencing back problems not long after he returned from nine months out because of a knee injury. Coach Rick Adelman has said Rubio might be overcompensating for his recovering knee, which could lead to other issues.