Timberwolves' Kevin Love to undergo season-ending knee surgery

Kevin Love has appeared in just 18 games this season. (David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) By Ben Golliver The Timberwolves announced Monday that forward

Kevin Love has appeared in just 18 games this season. (David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Ben Golliver

The Timberwolves announced Monday that forward Kevin Love will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee that is expected to sideline him for four-to-six weeks.

The surgery, which will remove a buildup of scar tissue, will end his 2012-13 season, although he was already sidelined with a previous hand injury.

This marks the second surgery of the season for Love, who made just 18 appearances this season for the lottery-bound Timberwolves.

Back in October, Love fractured two bones in his right hand while executing "knuckle pushups" during a home workout. The injury didn't initially require surgery, and Love returned to the court on Nov. 21. He then re-injured his right hand in mid-January, undergoing surgery that was expected to sideline him eight-to-10 weeks. He has been sidelined for roughly the last 12 weeks.

Love also missed time during the 2009-10 season due to a broken bone in his left hand. He then missed time in 2010-11 with a groin injury and in 2011-12 with a concussion. All told, he’s missed 106 games combined over the last four seasons.

The Timberwolves signed Love to a four-year contract extension worth $60 million in December 2011 which carries him through the 2015-16 season. Love, a two-time All-Star and an All-NBA second-team selection last year, can exercise a player option during the summer of 2015.

Love, 24, averaged 18.3 points, 14.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists this season. Minnesota currently possesses a 29-47 record on the year and has been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.