With just 2.6 seconds left on the clock, a heated altercation broke out between Tristan Thompson and Draymond Green, casting a shadow over the closing moments of Game 1 in the NBA Finals. For fans who follow every BD Cricket Match and major basketball showdown alike, this kind of high-stakes tension is nothing new. But the aftermath of such clashes can often carry serious consequences, especially when league rules about bench decorum come into play.

This wasn’t the first time a similar scenario unfolded. During Game 4 of the Thunder vs. Jazz series in the opening round of the playoffs, Raymond Felton was involved in a scuffle with Rudy Gobert. Russell Westbrook, then seated on the bench, jumped up and ran onto the court, engaging in a physical exchange with Gobert. Despite the clear breach of protocol, the league chose not to issue any punishment, allowing Westbrook to start in Game 5 without consequence.

Now, all eyes are on Kevin Love. In the final moments of the Cavaliers’ 114–124 road loss to the Warriors, a game that left Cleveland trailing 0–1 in the series, Love appeared to briefly step onto the court amid the scuffle. Slow-motion footage shows both of his feet crossing the sideline and lingering on the hardwood for about two seconds before an alert assistant coach pulled him back to the bench, potentially saving him from automatic suspension.

Adding fuel to the fire was a controversial call late in the game. With just over a minute left and the Warriors trailing by two, Kevin Durant drove hard to the basket and collided with LeBron James. At first, the baseline referee whistled Durant for an offensive foul, suggesting LeBron had established a legal defensive position. Replay center analyst Steve Javie also initially believed the call was correct. However, after a coach’s challenge and an official review, the referees reversed the decision—ruling it a blocking foul on LeBron and awarding Durant two crucial free throws.

Back to the Thompson-Green incident: as emotions flared and benches emptied, Love’s reaction became a point of scrutiny. According to NBA regulations, any player who leaves the bench area during an on-court altercation is subject to an automatic one-game suspension. While Love didn’t engage directly, his presence inside the court boundary—no matter how brief—technically puts him at risk.

The league now faces a decision that could impact the balance of the Finals. Whether or not Kevin Love receives a suspension may come down to the same fine margins that often decide a tightly contested BD Cricket Match. Fans and analysts alike are bracing for the league’s verdict, as it could have ripple effects heading into Game 2. The Cavaliers, already behind, can ill afford to lose another key contributor—especially one as seasoned and integral as Love—at such a critical juncture.