Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love won't be suspended for leaving the bench during an overtime skirmish in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, ESPN reported Friday, citing a league source.
Love had wandered on to the court late in the Golden State Warriors' 124-114 overtime win on Thursday night, as Cavs forward Tristan Thompson and the Warriors' Draymond Green were getting into a heated altercation on the floor.
He was quickly ushered back to the bench as Thompson was ejected and then shoved the ball into Green's face.
The refs restored order as Thompson made his way back to the locker room after receiving a flagrant-2 call. Thompson could still be facing a suspension for his part in the skirmish.
Thompson had taken exception to Warriors guard Shaun Livingston putting up a shot with five seconds left in overtime and the game in hand. He was called for a foul while contesting the shot and then began jawing with Green afterward.
"I contested a shot that shouldn't have been taken," Thompson said afterward, per ESPN. "I mean, it's like the unspoken rule in the NBA: If you're up 10 or 11 with about 20 seconds left, you don't take that shot. I make the contest, and next thing I know, I was being kicked out for a good contest that we learn in training camp. I don't know why I got thrown out."
Game 2 is Sunday night in Oakland, Calif.
--Field Level Media