BOSTON -- Tristan Thompson has never lost a playoff series to the Boston Celtics.
This is the fourth playoff series where Thompson has matched up with the Celtics, all while he’s been a part of the Cavs.
Thompson bounced around the NBA after leaving Cleveland in 2020 as a free agent, playing for five teams before returning to the city where he’s played the majority of his career.
The 33-year-old embraced his role off the bench for the Cavs, bringing his veteran leadership and presence back to the sideline for all to hear throughout Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
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But in Thursday’s 118-84 win, Thompson stepped back into the limelight of the playoffs. Cavs starting center Jarrett Allen is injured with a rib contusion, and in the third quarter of Game 2 against the Celtics at TD Garden, Evan Mobley, who had slid to the starting five role, picked up his fourth foul.
J.B. Bickerstaff had tried a lineup with Marcus Morris Sr. and Georges Niang manning the middle to start the second quarter for the Cavs. That lineup allowed the Celtics to jump out to an 18-7 run. Thankfully for the Cavs, Bickerstaff opted not to use that lineup for the remainder of the contest.
Instead, Bickerstaff went to the vet in Thompson. He checked in with just under five minutes remaining in the third, being paired with Morris shortly after. Cleveland was on a momentum swing and looking to continue its run. The “bad boys” of the Cavs roster went to work on the interior.
Thompson negated a Jayson Tatum transition attempt after a Cavs turnover that led to a Caris LeVert bucket on the other end. Then Thompson fought for an offensive rebound relentlessly, seemingly tipping the ball to himself for more opportunities before bringing down the board. Mitchell missed the second chance opportunity, but Thompson hounded the ball off the glass and tipped it out to Max Strus, who was credited with the offensive board, leading to a personal foul out of pure frustration from the Celtics’ defense, who could not find a way to stop Thompson on the glass. It got to the point where Tatum wrapped his arm around Thompson during a boxout to try and physically hold Thompson to the ground, prompting an offensive team rebound and two free throws for the big man.
Although Thompson finished with just one point, three rebounds, and two assists in 15 minutes, there were at least two other possessions where he influenced the Cavs with his effort and tenacity.
“I mean, he’s a vet who’s seen it all, right? Tristan has been to multiple finals, won a championship, just understands the moment and what it takes,” Bickerstaff said. “And he just is an intelligent basketball player, and it’s the absolute trust to not play him all game and then in a critical moment be able to throw him out there because you know he’s going to do the right thing and help you on both sides of the ball.”
Thompson stayed in the game until 10:32 remaining in the final frame, and he didn’t check back in until 3:55 remaining. At that point, the game was already in hand as the Celtics waved the white flag by putting their bench in. But, Thompson’s veteran playoff presence was felt and much needed with Allen and Dean Wade, the backup power forward who has played time at the center position, injured and Mobley in foul trouble.
The moment wasn’t too big for the only player who started for a team that won an NBA championship on the current Cavs roster.
“What I always said is that on the road you need your bench to step up and make plays, whatever it may be,” Thompson said. “Your bench, it’s got to be your X factor on the road. So for me, coming in rebounding, putting pressure on the rim, [and] just trying to wear those guys out. [And] it worked out for us tonight.”
But nobody on the Cavs is satisfied with just one win in a best-of-seven series, especially Thompson, who knows what it takes to win a series against the Celtics. And heading back to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse tied 1-1 with Game 3 on Saturday, there’s only one thing on their minds.
“It’s a good feeling. Steal home court, but it’s the playoffs, so we got to go home and protect home,” Thompson said.
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