Ex-teammates Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson shared a tender moment Monday night after Love’s father, Stan, died Sunday at the age of 76.
The two members of the Cavaliers’ 2016 championship team hugged before the Cavaliers’ 138-83 road win over the Heat in Game 4 to secure the sweep.
Love, a Heat forward, wore a black hoodie while he hugged Thompson, who was in his Cavaliers gear.
Thompson appeared to be consoling Love before the two broke apart for a second, with Love grabbing his eyes, and then they hugged again.
Love announced his father’s death Sunday night with an Instagram post that featured a photo of his father, along with what seemingly showed the two holding hands.
“Dad, you fought for a long time. The hardest stretch being these past 6 months. The most painful to witness being these last few weeks,” Love wrote. “And even at the end as you continued to deteriorate – I still saw you as a Giant. My Protector. My first Hero.
“The words we continuously heard from you in your last chapter were how blessed you’ve been to have such a loving family. And in return how much you’ve loved your wife and kids. Your only wish was to be at home surrounded by your family when you took your dying breath.
“That breath came. And now it’s time to rest.”
Stan played in the NBA like his son and also was the brother of Beach Boys singer Mike Love, according to the Associated Press.
He played four years in the NBA from 1971-75, spending time with the Bullets and Lakers after being selected with the ninth pick in the 1971 draft.
He averaged 6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
“You have undoubtedly been my greatest teacher. A role often served by a Father figure,” Kevin wrote. “You taught me admirable qualities like respect & kindness. Humor & wit. Ambition & work ethic. Grit & aggressive will. The insight that failure brings. And that time is our most precious commodity.”
Kevin noted that he and his dad had “differences” and he wishes he could have that time back, but that “division” allowed him to find himself.
“I was running from something but that time away provided the wisdoms of forgiveness and reconciliation. And an unwavering sense that he loved me through it all, in every moment. ‘The best last lesson one generation can teach the next: how to die with peace about how you’ve lived.’ This may be my Dad’s greatest gift,” Love wrote Sunday night. “Teaching me that healing happens in your soul and that healing is there for the taking, even in the face of imminent death. Dad loved his family unconditionally and left his children with one of life’s great lessons.”
Love did not appear in Monday’s season-ending loss and ended his season having not appeared in a game since March 21, while Thompson scored four points in 12 minutes.
“Like all of us, my Dad was imperfect,” Kevin wrote. “But despite his flaws, and my own, we are a successful story of father and son. A never ending bond, rooted in love, that will forever remain eternal.
“Dad, I’m so proud to be your son. My only hope is that you’re proud of me. It was all I ever wanted. Thank you for everything.”