Report: Kevin Love told critical teammates in meeting he left arena due to panic attack

Cavaliers star Kevin Love was widely praised today for publishing an article detailing his panic attacks and evolving views on mental health.

A previous time Love explained a panic attack, it wasn’t as well-received.

Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com:

Love told Cavs teammates the reason he left The Q before the end of a loss to Oklahoma City Thunder in January -- in which he left the game after three minutes for what the team said at the time was migraines -- was because of his panic attacks.

That was the infamous team meeting, where Dwyane Wade and Isaiah Thomas reportedly lashed into Love for leaving the arena early.

Perhaps, everyone’s stance softened when they heard the reason. There was clearly an initial distrust that led to finger-pointing at Love, but the animosity didn’t necessarily linger.

On the other hand, not everyone is completely understanding of mental-health issues – especially in professional sports, which Love examines in his article.

Either way, Wade and Thomas have since been traded. And the person everyone in the Cavs’ locker room gets behind has taken a public stance behind Love.

LeBron James:

You’re even more powerful now than ever before @kevinlove!!! Salute and respect brother! ✊🏾💪🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/6nL6WoZMCm

— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 6, 2018