What happened to Kevin Love? Heat star's bombshell update ahead of NBA Play-In explored
Kevin Love won't suit up for the Miami Heat ahead of Friday night's game. Miami will be without one of their front court pieces in the final game of the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament against the Atlanta Hawks. According to Miami Heat beat writer Ira Winderman, the former NBA champion is stepping away from the Heat to handle family issues.
This isn't the first game that Kevin Love has missed this season due to family reasons, but the Miami Heat will miss his veteran presence in their most important game of the season. Keving Love has been in and out of the Heat lineup as he has dealt with personal problems off the court, only playing in 23 games this year.
Love is no longer the All-Star caliber player that contributed to Finals runs and a 2016 NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the 36-year-old power forward is a key part of the Miami Heat's chemistry. He has helped to lead the locker room through the drama surrounding Jimmy Butler's exit as the oldest player on the roster.
Kevin Love has missed the Heat's last 13 games of the regular season, including their first Play-In Tournament game against the Chicago Bulls while dealing with his personal issues. His announcement that he is stepping away from the team is a tough blow for the Heat regardless.
While no specifics have been shared on why Love has been in and out of the lineup for Miami this season, it could have something to do with mental health struggles. The 17-year veteran has talked about his mental health struggles over the past few seasons, so it is possible that he has taken a step back from the team to fully focus on his recovery.
What are the Miami Heat missing without Kevin Love?
Love was a role player for the Miami Heat this season, chipping in 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 23 appearances this season. More so than anything else, the younger frontcourt players on the Heat, including rookie Kel'el Ware, will miss his coaching on the bench. Ware has had an excellent rookie season, learning from Love and former All-Star Bam Adebayo throughout his first NBA season.
On the court, Kevin Love provided spacing on the offensive end of the floor, allowing both Adebayo and Ware to operate in the paint without it being clogged by defenders. Without him, the Heat will turn to Kyle Anderson to pick up the slack. Unfortunately, defenses are more likely to slack off of Anderson, making it more difficult for the Heat to run their offensive sets.
If Kevin Love is stepping away from the Heat for an extended period of time, the team will miss his support as they try to make their mark in their first postseason run without Jimmy Butler since 2018.