Josh Peter | USA TODAY

USA TODAY Sports

The NBA has warned Drake after the rapper's verbal confrontations Tuesday night with Kendrick Perkins, a backup center for the Cleveland Cavaliers, during Game 1 of the Cavaliers' playoff series against the Toronto Raptors, league spokesman Tim Frank told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday.

John E. Sokolowski, USA TODAY Sports

The Raptors, who have named Drake a global ambassador for the team, also discussed the matter with Drake, according to Frank.

No details about the warning and punishment Drake could face as a result were available. But this season, the NBA has implemented measures designed to crack down on fan misconduct, such as verbal abuse.

At halftime and immediately following the Cavaliers’ 113-112 overtime victory over the Raptors, Drake verbally scrapped with Perkins. They were separated before the matter escalated.

Drake, who sits courtside at Raptors’ home games in Air Canada Centre, has often engaged in good-natured banter with players such as LeBron James. But the run-in with Perkins was tense and combative.

Attempts to reach Drake for comment through his publicist, Melissa Nathan, were unsuccessful.

The Cleveland-Toronto series resumes Thursday in Toronto with Game 2.

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