The warning came earlier this week, after Drake got into a couple of verbal confrontations with Cleveland player Kendrick Perkins during and after the first game of the conference semi-finals on Tuesday (May 1).
Drake and Kendrick Perkins exchanged more words postgame pic.twitter.com/Z0rdXDe1uL
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 2, 2018
This went all the way into the tunnel, with Drake calling Perkins a "f------ p----" and calling for him to come out. "I'm here in real life," he said. He was mad. https://t.co/3DJ2HBvrWN
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) May 2, 2018
According to ESPN, NBA executive vice-president of basketball operations Kiki Vandeweghe issued the warning via Raps president Masai Ujiri.
Ujiri, who has been largely supportive of Drizzy's presence around the team, responded by saying, "I think it's a great thing that the guy's invested in our team like that… I went to Drake and I said, 'Let it go. Let it go.' And that was it. To me, it's done."
Coach Dwane Casey, meanwhile, also praised the rapper for his enthusiasm. "No problem whatsoever with Drake and being excited and passionate," he added. "We all should be that passionate."
Perkins told ESPN, "At the end of the day, it isn't about Perk versus Drake; that doesn't even sound right. It's the Cleveland Cavaliers versus the Toronto Raptors. Besides, what could he possibly do to me? I mean, really. If he leaves me alone, I'll leave him alone, and that's all there is."
During last night's game, Drake seemed to take the NBA's message to heart and refrained from cussing or threatening any members of the opposing team.
Of course, the lack of enthusiasm could have something to do with a classic Raptors fall-apart in the second half, eventually leading them to lose to the Cavs by a score of 128 – 110 in the second game of the series.
It's not the first time Drake's been issued a warning by the NBA, either. Back in 2014, he was fined $25,000 for insinuating that Oklahoma City Thunder player Kevin Durant should come join Toronto's team.
See some of the Twitter response to the latest ordeal below.
-Rihanna called him weird
— 🏀🌴Joey Kinsley🌴🏀 (@SirYacht) May 4, 2018
-NBA sends him a warning letter
-LeBron scores 43 on his team while he's courtside
Drake's ghost writer is about to have a field day with this
Drake read that Rihanna article and NBA told him to be quiet. Lol. This better all be on the album pic.twitter.com/wm6GtEVIiV
— Robert Littal (@BSO) May 3, 2018
Drake has had an awful day:
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) May 3, 2018
1) Rihanna publicly said on record she doesn't fuck with him
2) The NBA told him to shut up
3) Kendrick Perkins gave him the "lmao what ARE YOU gonna do to me?" treatment
He's gotta stay home or the raptors are gonna lose by 40 😂😂
1) Got friend zoned so bad by Rihanna he even below the friend zone now
— Terry Wobzier (@World_Wide_Wob) May 4, 2018
2) Muted by the NBA
3) 'LeBronto' & '0-2 bout to turn into 0-3, Bron's Plan' jokes everywhere on the net
Drake really only got one play here and its to double-down like Spike Lee in 94 and show up to Game 3
Drake is upset 😂 pic.twitter.com/cbx92Juo9i
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) May 4, 2018
The NBA told Drake to sit down and be quiet, not the Raptors. Did they get the wrong memo?
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 4, 2018
The NBA told Drake to stop heckling players so now he's sitting there like someone stole his blanket. pic.twitter.com/a7qIpQDTHT
— Devin Walker (@Devin_Walker5) May 3, 2018
Drake lost Rihanna AND got a warning from the NBA. That new album finna be Tollhouse soft
— Terry Misu (@_SoVeryTerry) May 3, 2018
Drake's past albums are available through Umusic, including wax copies of Views, If You're Reading This It's Too Late, What a Time to Be Alive (with Future) and Take Care.