LeBron James' headband wasn't the only thing to return to Quicken Loans Arena Wednesday night.
While Kevin Love couldn't be on the court due to a shoulder injury, he was back in Cleveland for Game 2 of the team's Eastern Conference semifinals series with the Chicago Bulls.
Love's presence was felt, as he spoke to teammates in the locker room prior to the game.
"He just told us go out there and play hard and compete," Tristan Thompson said.
That they did, storming out to an early advantage and never trailing in a 106-91 win.
Love, wearing a sling and sitting behind the Cavs bench, received a raucous ovation from the Cleveland crowd when he was shown on "Humongotron."
"[He] got a great response from the fans who love him here," LeBron James said. "It was great to have him around today for sure."
Another person who was glad to have Love back in the building was All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, who said his bond with Love started when the two played together for Team USA at the FIBA Basketball World Cup last summer and grew throughout the season.
"I feel like we could definitely lean on each other just from the standpoint of learning the nuances of seeing more of you guys [media] and the pressure on each game," Irving said of his relationship with Love.
Last week, Love had surgery in New York on his left shoulder, which he dislocated on what he called a "bush league play" involving Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk during Game 4 of the Cavs' first-round series.
Love averaged 16.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in the regular season. In the three postseason games he was able to play in full, Love put up 18.3 points and 9 rebounds per game.
"Obviously, we know he's down about the injury but you couldn't tell by today," James said. "He was happy to be back."
Those last four words from James are ones Cleveland fans hope to hear from Love this summer, when he will decide whether to opt in on his current deal with the Cavs for next season.
