MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love has been suspended two games for stomping on Rockets forward Luis Scola’s face in their game on Saturday.

The NBA announced the suspension on Monday. The incident occurred when Scola fell to the court during the third quarter. As Love headed back to the other end, he stepped on Scola’s face and upper body.

Love said after the game that the stomp was not intentional and he went to the Rockets’ locker room to apologize to Scola.

“I feel like it was a learning experience for me. It definitely won’t happen again. But there was no ill intentions in that step. More than anything, I was trying to get him on the foul on the way up. I wasn’t trying to stomp him like other people said … or anything like that,” Love said. “I just want to move forward and hopefully we can win these next two games.”

On Monday afternoon, Love also released a statement following the suspension.

“I want to publicly apologize to Luis Scola and the Houston Rockets,” the statement said. “My intention is to never hurt another player on the basketball court. I’ve always had the utmost respect for the game of basketball and all of my opponents. I also apologize to my coaches, teammates and our fans for the consequences of my actions.”

The NBA also upgraded it to a Flagrant-Two foul on Love.

The suspension means the Timberwolves will be without their leading scorer and rebounder for a home game against Sacramento on Tuesday night and a game at Memphis on Wednesday night.

“Do I think it’s fair? Absolutely not,” said head coach Rick Adelman. “I don’t know the reasoning … They don’t tell you the reasoning … I don’t know the reasoning behind two games. They haven’t said anything. You just got to move on.”

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