Kevin Love points his ring finger as fans applaud Cleveland’s comeback

If there is one quality Cleveland Cavaliers have as an organization, it is an expression of gratitude to their family forever. It was the same on Monday Kevin Love was in town with Utah Jazzplaying at their old grounds for only the second time since buying out their contract in February 2023.

In the first quarter, the Cavs played a video commemorating the 2016 NBA champion to cheers from Rockets Arena, to which Love pointed to his right ring finger.

Love posted the moment on his Instagram account with an inscription“Cleveland will always be home 👉💍🏆 216 THANKS for the endless love F0⃣REVER.”

After a video of his warm reception, Love shared a highlight of the 3-pointer he knocked down in his right corner and a slow-motion video of him walking through security. There are pictures with former Cleveland teammate Larry Nance Jr., longtime Cavs coach Stephen Spear and Wine and Gold star Donovan Mitchell, with whom Love played just a few months in his final season in Northeast Ohio.

Fittingly, it was Mental Health Awareness Night, a cause he has championed for more than a decade. Monday was a poignant reminder of the eternal bond Love will share with the city of Cleveland and the Cavs family. It’s amazing how just a few minutes of a video package can instantly bring back almost nine years of memories. The wine-and-gold faithful in the building were just as grateful to see their old friend as Love was to see them.

After six seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Love spent the majority of his NBA career with the Cavs from July 2014 to February 2023. Although he was unable to participate in the first, Cleveland appeared in four consecutive NBA Finals after arriving via trade to team up with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

Love still holds the franchise record for single points (34), field goals made (11) and three-pointers (8) in one quarter, all of which came in the opening frame at home against the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 23, 2016. He is tied for the record for three-pointers (8), rebounds (16) (16 saves, 16).

As for the postseason, Love is associated with JR Smith for most three-pointers (8) in a playoff game and holds the record for most in a playoff half (7). He also recorded a Cavs organization-high 21 rebounds on the road against the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals. In the same series, Love tied a franchise-best mark with six steals in Game 3 at Rocket Arena.