The overtime period in Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors was generally drama-free. Sure, there was plenty of silliness in regulation, but once overtime rolled around, the Warriors turned on the jets and were able to secure a 1-0 series lead over their Eastern Conference foes.
Things did get a little weird right at the end of the game, though, as tensions somewhat boiled over after LeBron James blocked Steph Curry. The two talked some junk, and on the Warriors’ following possession, a Tristan Thompson foul on Shaun Livingston earned the Cavs’ big man the boot. There was some jawing after, Draymond Green got tossed, and everyone was reminded that these teams really dislike one another.
In the aftermath, some Twitter users noticed something potentially calamitous: While the scuffle was happening, Kevin Love made his way onto the floor.
Kevin Love (top right) on court during late scuffle. By rule a Game 2 suspension? pic.twitter.com/fcB8jeHQzs
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) June 1, 2018
The NBA’s rulebook states that this is a suspension-worthy offense — “During an altercation, all players not participating in the game must remain in the immediate vicinity of their bench. Violators will be suspended, without pay, for a minimum of one game and fined up to $50,000,” per page 43 of the rulebook — and obviously, losing Love for a game at Oracle Arena would be a major blow to the Cavaliers. A video of the incident shows that Love appeared to be on the floor for something unrelated to the incident between Thompson and Green, and when the pushing and shoving began, someone grabbed him and pulled him back onto the bench.
As for exactly what happened, Love told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols that he wasn’t trying to get involved in anything. Instead, he was trying to argue Thompson’s ejection prior to the scuffle breaking out.
Kevin Love told me he left the bench in OT to argue the call on Tristan, walking onto the court to get in the officials' eyeline, not in reaction to any scuffle & before it even broke out. Video (via @bballbreakdown) seems to back this up; not sure if it will matter to the league pic.twitter.com/JeHmd6Fl2p
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) June 1, 2018
The whole situation is weird, and it’s going to see if the league buys this rationalization from Love. If so, he’s going to play in Game 2 on Sunday. If not, the NBA will have a major decision to make that could make Cleveland’s uphill battle even more difficult.
