Miami Heat player excluded for personal reasons

On Wednesday evening, the Miami Heat host the Orlando Magic in Florida for their first game of the season.

Shortly before the game, the Heat announced that 2016 NBA champion Kevin Love had been ruled out for personal reasons.

About the heat: “#ORLvsMIA UPDATE: Kevin Love (personal reasons) has been ruled out of tonight's game against the Magic.”

Love is entering his third season as a member of the Heat.

He finished last year averaging 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest while shooting 44.0% from the field and 34.4% from three-point range in 55 games lap.

The Heat finished last season as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 46-36.

They lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs (Jimmy Butler missed the entire series).

If the Heat can put together a healthy season, there's no reason to believe they won't be able to finish among the top six teams in the East.

After the Magic, they play their second game of the season on Friday night when they visit LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets in North Carolina.

Love was the fifth pick in the 2008 NBA Draft out of UCLA.

He spent 16 seasons with the Heat, Cavs and Timberwolves.

The 17-year veteran has career averages of 16.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest while shooting 43.9% from the field and 36.9% from three-point range.