Tristan Thompson Says Cavaliers Won't Be Punked After Game 4 Win

Cleveland Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson apparently wasn't a fan of the Golden State Warriors' trash talk during the first four games of the NBA Finals.

"Talk all you want…you're not about to punk us," he said, following Cleveland's 137-116 victory in Friday's Game 4, per Sports Illustrated (NSFW):

Thompson didn't look punked during Game 4 when he grabbed 10 boards, dished out five assists and hit two of his three field-goal attempts. It was a dramatic difference from his near disappearing act in Game 3 with zero points and three rebounds in a Warriors win.

Despite facing a 3-0 deficit, Cleveland as a whole didn't back down either and thrived in what was a physical contest.

Zaza Pachulia threw a punch at Iman Shumpert's groin, LeBron James and Kevin Durant jawed at each other and each drew technicals, and Kevin Love picked up a flagrant 1 for a hard foul on Durant.

It will take more than physicality and an attitude they won't get punked for the Cavaliers to overcome what is now a 3-1 deficit with Monday's Game 5 at Oracle Arena, but it would have been easy to hang their heads and come out without much fight Friday after allowing the Warriors to steal Game 3 with an 11-0 run to close things.

Thompson and Cleveland battled back instead and, as a result, forced another contest.