Happy New Year 2025

Tag: Cavaliers

  • Tristan Thompson responds to Raptors coach Darko Rajaković’s suggestion Cavaliers star lacked class

    Tristan Thompson responds to Raptors coach Darko Rajaković’s suggestion Cavaliers star lacked class

    On Wednesday, Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajaković described veteran Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson as a “no-class” player after the Cavs’ 131-108 win over the Raptors.

    Rajaković also suggested Thompson’s actions showed a lack of respect. 

    “I think what Tristan did there was no class and disrespectful,” Rajaković said during a postgame press conference. “I’m not going to stand for that, for sure. I love when my team stands up for themselves. That was no class.”

    Rajaković was irked by Thompson’s two-handed slam in the final seconds of the game.

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    Raptors players Scottie Barnes and Jamal Shead confronted Thompson immediately after the final buzzer sounded, and some fans directed boos at the Cavs big man.

    The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Tristan Thompson, right, has words with the Toronto Raptors in Toronto Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.  (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

    Thompson took to social media Thursday to share his response to Rajaković’s remarks. Thompson asserted that the Raptors engaged in a “full court press” even as Toronto was trailing by double-digits late in the game.

    LUKA DONČIĆ’S TRADE TO LAKERS COULDN’T BE VETOED, NBA COMMISH SAYS

    “You wanna full court press with under a minute left in the game when you get cracked by 30 this will happen to you. Lose for draft lottery and be happy buddy boy. Hopefully you and most of your guys see the light at the end of Bobby and Masai long term plan. Bless up stay warm in MY CITY,” Thompson wrote on X Feb. 13.

    Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said he didn’t understand Thompson’s thought process at the time, but he also did not believe there were “bad intentions” behind the dunk.

    Tristan Thompson dunks

    Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson dunks against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto Feb. 12, 2025. (John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images)

    “I’m not sure what he was thinking,” Atkinson said. “Sometimes, though, you’re playing the game, and you just have a reaction. I know with Tristan, there’s no bad intention there. I think just sometimes you’re playing, and the goal of the game is to score. Unfortunate.”

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    Thompson, who is from Canada, had four points in four minutes. He is averaging 1.7 points and 3 rebounds per game in 28 games this season.

    Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

    Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

    Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

  • Cavaliers embarrass Mavericks in 1st game since Dallas’ Luka Doncic trade

    Cavaliers embarrass Mavericks in 1st game since Dallas’ Luka Doncic trade

    The Dallas Mavericks were far from energized in their first game since the team traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and acquired Anthony Davis.

    The Mavericks allowed the Cleveland Cavaliers 91 points at halftime and lost the game 144-101.

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    Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill reacts after hitting a 3-point basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

    “Everyone was just locked in even with the trade and everything that was going on today,” Cavs star Evan Mobley said after the game. “We started hot and kept our foot on the gas.”

    Sam Merrill added nine 3-pointers for Cleveland. The Cavaliers made 16 3-pointers in the first half and finished with 26 in total.

    “We were at 80 (points) with like four minutes left, and I was like, ‘Man, let’s try to get 100,’” Merrill said. “But these games aren’t always easy. I’ve been a part of games where everyone is out, and it’s a close game because it’s hard to have the right mindset in a game like this.

    “It’s such a credit to the starters to come out and play the right way and communicate and defend and share the basketball. To get out to that big lead and then the bench guys come in and keep it going. I’ve been a part of some 80s but 90 (at halftime) is crazy.”

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    Luka Doncic vs Wizards

    Mavericks guard Luka Doncic looks on from the team bench during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at the American Airlines Center on Jan. 27, 2025 in Dallas. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

    It was the closing of a wild day for the Mavericks. Dallas woke up, and its five-time All-Star was abruptly traded to the Lakers.

    Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison defended the deal before the game.

    “I understand why [fans] would be shocked, initially,” Harrison told the Dallas Morning News. 

    “But I do believe that we positioned ourselves to win now and also win in the future. And that’s ultimately the goal and why we’re here. It’s one of those things where it’s my job to make the tough decisions that put our goals first and foremost.”

    Doncic’s $207 million extension is set to expire this year, and he was due for a supermax that was worth over $340 million. Plus, he was soon able to opt out of any other deals. So, Harrison wanted security. Now, he’s not eligible for the supermax anymore.

    “We really feel like we got ahead of what was going to be a tumultuous summer, him being eligible for the supermax and also a year away from him being able to opt out of any contract,” Harrison said. “And so we really felt like we got out in front of that. We know teams, they’ve had it out there, teams have been loading up to try to sign him once that comes available.”

    Jason Kidd and Nico Harrison

    Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, left, and general manager Nico Harrison discuss the trade of Luka Doncic on Feb. 2, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

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    Doncic thanked fans for their support while he was with Dallas. He did not mention the Mavericks in his goodbye message.

    Fox News’ Ryan Morik and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

    Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

    Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.