Kevin Love recalls getting hit by Kobe Bryant during Bryant’s final game in Cleveland: “It felt like fire was running down my arm” originally appeared on Basketball Network.
The Cleveland Cavaliers hosted the Los Angeles Lakers on February 11, 2016, a matchup that would be Kobe Bryant’s last at the Quicken Loans Arena. It was a special game in honor of the Black Mamba although not for Cavs forward Kevin Love.
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This was the same game in which Love suffered an injury to his surgically repaired left shoulder, forcing him to exit in the second quarter. Love was backing down Kobe at the time, but Bryant’s arm ended up catching the UCLA product’s shoulder, leaving him in pain.
“Just like when you get hit on the funny bone, the elbow has shooting pain. It felt like fire was running down my arm,” Love said via UPI. “Just a stinger, and doctors decided we’ll be cautious and use the break for it to feel better, but it actually feels OK right now.”
That injury left the Cavs holding their breath, considering the team was rolling during the entire 2015-16 season. It was also timely since the league was headed towards the All-Star break.
The origin of Love’s shoulder issue
It should be noted that Love’s injury was an accident and not to be blamed on Bryant. Kevin initially sustained the injury when the Cavs faced the Boston Celtics in a first-round matchup in the 2015 playoffs.
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In Game 4 of that series, Love was battling Kelly Olynyk for a loose ball, with the Cavs forward getting the worse of it. The Celtics big man was found guilty of yanking Love’s arm down and eventually dislocating it. This would sideline the 5th overall pick of the 2008 Draft throughout the 2015 playoffs.
Love was as tough as nails
Fortunately for the Cavs, Love recovered well from that misfortune. In fact, the 6-foot-8 player managed to play on and provide the necessary help alongside the Cavs’ top stars, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. His brilliance radiated despite that scare and he had the numbers to back that up. He was a pivotal figure for Cleveland in the regular and postseason, contributing to scoring, rebounding, and assists.
His decent showing continued in the postseason, helping the Cavs reach the 2016 NBA Finals. However, rather than his scoring, rebounding, or assisting Love’s defense stood out when Cleveland faced the Golden State Warriors.
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Love was tasked with guarding Stephen Curry in Game 7 of that final. Considering Steph was smaller, faster, and a shooter, Kevin appeared to be at a disadvantage.
However, the 2011 NBA Most Improved Player stuck to the Cavs defensive game plan. Kevin found himself guarding Curry dying seconds and made life miserable for the Warriors superstar. With pesky coverage, the 7th overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft found it challenging to get up a decent shot.
“We had gone over that particular play, I mean, hundreds of times. Gone through it in film, hundreds of times, had seen it throughout the game, especially their fourth quarter package a number of time,” Love shared on “Pardon My Take.”
That play was considered a crucial point of the Cavs vs. Warriors 2016 NBA Finals. Cleveland went on to win that game and capture its first and only championship in franchise history. For Love, it was also the lone NBA title he had in his career as of to date.
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The Cavs failed to replicate that feat in the following seasons, losing to the Warriors in the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals. Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2017, while James moved to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.
It was the perfect setting for Love to become the main star since his Minnesota Timberwolves days. Unfortunately, injuries derailed Kevin’s run, significantly affecting his performance.
With his career fading, Love ultimately left Cleveland to join the Miami Heat in 2023. He has been used sparingly by the South Beach squad, a team he continues to be a part of today. At 36, it may only be a matter of time before Kevin calls it a career, capping a credible NBA career.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.