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The Cleveland Cavaliers are addressing the Kevin Love incident internally as the forward apologized to his team after Monday night’s loss to the Toronto Raptors, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Love could be fined by the Cavaliers for swatting the basketball inadvertently inbounds out of frustration towards an official, resulting in a turnover and leading to a three-pointer by the Raptors.
Love’s intent wasn’t to slap the ball inbounds, sources said. Love was frustrated with officials and not his team’s performance, sources said.
After a converted layup by the Raptors, the five-time All-Star was shoved in the back and ran into the stanchion. Official Brandon Schwab tossed the ball to Love so he could inbound it in and an irritated Love spiked the ball with his left hand.
Schwab is a G-League official and players expressed irritation with the consistency in calls, sources said. Players from around the league have shared their concerns privately and publicly with the influx of new officials this season.
Love did not play in the fourth quarter and didn’t address the media after the game.
The 32-year-old signed a four-year, $120 million extension in 2018. He’s the elder statesman of what is a rebuilding team and it’s a role Love said he’s relishing.
But that play will lead to questions asking if it’s time for the Cavaliers to part ways with Love after the season.
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