MIAMI (WJW) — Former Cleveland Cavaliers player Kevin Love didn’t play for his current team, the Miami Heat, during Monday night’s final Round 1 matchup that the Cavs dominated.

On Sunday, Kevin had announced his father Stan Love had passed away at 76 after a long illness, filling in the blanks for why he had stepped away from playing for “personal reasons.”

While he wasn’t suited up Monday, Kevin was spotted at the game supporting the Heat. Former teammates made sure he knew they were thinking about the Love family during this difficult time.

• BOSTON, MA – MAY 17: Kevin Love #0 reacts with Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half against the Boston Celtics during Game One of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 17, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
• Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kevin Love, left, and Tristan Thompson give support to teammates from the bench in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 116-113. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
• Cleveland Cavaliers’ Tristan Thompson (13) and Kevin Love (0) celebrate after they defeated the Miami Heat in overtime in an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Tristan Thompson, who played with Kevin for six-plus years on the Cavs including during the 2016 championship run, was seen pulling Kevin into a big bear hug prior during Monday’s warmup. In a video posted by Bleacher Report on X, the two appeared to be speaking to one another. Kevin then wiped his face as the two parted.

The Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell, speaking to TNT following the game, also gave a shoutout to his former teammate (they played together for half a season when Mitchell first came to the Cavs).

“First of all, I want to give my condolences to Kevin Love and his family,” Mitchell said at the start of the interview. “That’s my dog. Been a part of a lot of success here in Cleveland. Big part of here. I saw he was here. I didn’t get to see him. My brother, I love you. Just keeping you in my prayers.”

Stan Love was a former NBA player in his own right. He was 76 years old.

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