(Reuters) Cleveland Cavaliers guard Rodney Hood will not be suspended for refusing to enter Game 4 in the fourth quarter.
Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday that Hood was scheduled to meet with coach Tyronn Lue to discuss his decision to turn down playing time in the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s series-clinching win at home on Monday night. During a timeout, several players surrounded Hood to encourage him to enter the game, but he refused.
No explanation was offered following the game, but a report from The Athletic indicated the team was weighing a possible suspension during the Eastern Conference Finals.
ESPN reported Tuesday afternoon that Hood already apologized to teammates and “feels awful” for the incident. Lue reportedly did not view the refusal to play as an act of defiance.
Hood refused to enter the game during a timeout with 7:38 remaining and the Cavs up 30 points. Lue instead called upon Jose Calderon to replace LeBron James.
Hood has missed his last 10 3-point attempts and averaged 4.6 points in the Cavaliers’ first two playoff series.
Acquired at the trade deadline from the Utah Jazz in a deal involving Derrick Rose and Jae Crowder, Hood is a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
