KEVIN LOVE broke down in tears in the arms of Tristan Thompson before the Cleveland Cavaliers took on the Miami Heat.
The match at the Kaseya Center in Miami was an opportunity for ex-Cavs team-mates Love and Thompson to reunite.
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The pair reunited on the court and had an emotional moment following the passing of Love’s father.
Stan Love died at the age of 76 on Sunday with the news being announced on social media.
Thompson, 34, comforted the mourning Love as he broke down in tears on the court.
The moment was caught on the broadcast cameras and posted on X.
Fans were left touched by the embrace from the former team-mates.
One posted: “Bigger than basketball.”
A second wrote: “Being a good teammate means a lot. Giving that space. Being a brother. That’s special.”
A third commented: “That true love of a friendship, Tristian feels his pain.”
A fourth said: “That’s Love.”
Another added: “He needed that hug so bad, glad his brother knew.”
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Love, 38, paid tribute to his father in his post and hailed him as his “first hero”.
He wrote on Instagram: “The most painful to witness being these last few weeks.
“And even at the end as you continued to deteriorate – I still saw you as a Giant. My Protector. My first Hero.
“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.”
Stan was also a NBA player in his younger years.
He was a first-round pick back in 1971 and played for the Baltimore Bullets, Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers thrashed the Miami Heat 138-83 to win the series 4-0.
Love’s tribute to his dad
Here is Kevin Love’s full tribute to his father Stan that he wrote on Instagram…
He wrote: “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. 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.
“You have undoubtedly been my greatest teacher. A role often served by a Father figure. 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.
“Over the years my Dad and I had our differences. I mourn the times I felt angry and isolated – my heart weighs heavy knowing we lost that time and can’t get it back. But our division led to me finding myself. 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.
“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.
“As the memories stream down my face I feel as if I can see it all so clearly now. It’s a f***ed up fact of life that towards the end, your own life or someone else’s, things that once seemed so complicated and confusing now seem transparent.
“Like all of us, my Dad was imperfect. 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.
“I love you.
“Your son, Kevin.”