Cavs big man Tristan Thompson earned his stripes in the win over the Suns

In his match against Phoenix Suns, c Cleveland Cavaliers they faced the challenge of playing without their superstar big man, Evan Mobley, who was unavailable with a nagging calf injury. While the Cavs would have preferred Mobley’s presence on the court, they were fortunate to have Jarrett Allen in his absence.

In 22.1 minutes of action, Allen had an impressive performance, scoring 12 points on 83.3% shooting, hitting 5 of 6 attempts. Furthermore, he showed off his rebounding prowess by grabbing 11 boards while dishing out two assists, helping keep Cleveland competitive throughout the game.

For Allen, known for his reliability and consistent performance, this game was just another day at the office. However, he wasn’t the exceptional big man who led the way in the Cavs’ decisive 118-92 victory over the Suns. Instead, a veteran big man Tristan Thompson led Cleveland’s dominance on the field. Thompson’s experience and skill have been key, driving the team’s success and demonstrating his ability to deliver at critical moments.

Cavs veteran Tristan Thompson was big against the Suns

Thompson had an outstanding performance off the bench against the Suns, playing a season-high 25 minutes. During this impressive outing, he posted season-highs in multiple categories, recording 10 rebounds, three assists and one steal, while also contributing with a blocked shot.

Prior to this game, Thompson had logged over 20 minutes just once this season, underscoring the importance of his performance against the Suns. Thompson has witnessed a remarkable career evolution in his 14th year in the NBA and 11th in Cleveland.

He was drafted fourth overall by the Cavs in 2011 and spent his first nine seasons as the team’s starting center, playing a vital role in their success. However, as he enters his 33rd year, Thompson has moved into a backup role in recent seasons.

Despite this change, he continues to serve as a valuable leader and mentor to the younger players on the team, sharing his wealth of experience and wisdom to help lead the Cavs on and off the court. He provides guidance and support to his teammates that contribute to the Cavs’ success on the court. Thompson’s ability to step up when called upon underscores his importance to the team as a leader and impact player.

“How about a TT,” Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson said after the game. “Amazing display setup, bounce. The guy hasn’t played in forever and he comes and plays like that. (It’s) really a testament to our depth.”

Tristan Thompson gave Cleveland a much-needed spark against Phoenix

In the second quarter, Atkinson strategically assembled a sharp and effective lineup consisting of Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Ty Jerome, Georges Niang and Tristan Thompson. This group excelled defensively, displaying an impressive level of teamwork and communication resulting in an outstanding defensive rating of 48.

The Cavs’ near-perfect zone defense effectively suffocated the Suns, limiting their scoring opportunities and forcing them into tough shots. Thompson’s presence in the paint was especially important; his ability to disrupt the Suns’ offensive flow played a crucial role in the success of this defensive unit. Without Thompson to step up and solidify their defense, the Suns, who boast one of the best offenses in the league, could have easily found their rhythm and begun to dominate the game.

“It’s no surprise that he played 18 minutes straight and was able to impact the game,” Georges Niang said. “Because that guy, if he’s not in the rotation, he’s constantly working on his body and staying in shape, so when he is, you get production like he did tonight.”

Although Mobley has yet to return to the floor for the Cavs, if Thompson continues to produce these performances, the team should be able to stay afloat.

“He just loves the game,” Atkinson said of Thompson. “His joy, I would say, his advice, in terms of how he coaches our young guys and the whole team.” And coaches too, right? He is right next to us. He suggests things. And we just love everything he brings to the table.”