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Jason McIntyre: Tristan Thompson Punched Draymond Green at LA Club
July 31, 2018
The Cleveland Cavaliers' Tristan Thompson and Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green got into a physical altercation at a club in Los Angeles, online gossip site Bossip reported Tuesday.
The Big Lead's Jason McIntyre on July 19 teased the rumor of a fight between NBA players at an L.A. club and subsequently provided more detail:
Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic provided more insight into the incident:
"In what would be best told by the late great storyteller Charlie Murphy, the 'streets' turned out to be the swanky Delilah restaurant in West Hollywood on July 18. Both Green and Thompson were guests of LeBron for this ultra-exclusive affair—which prohibited phones and cameras. None of the attendees expected the on-the-court drama to flare back up in this setting.
"Which is why everyone was stunned when Thompson, according to sources, out of nowhere attacked Green.
"No argument. No squaring up. No taking it outside.
"'It was a sucker punch,' said one source who attended the party. 'But, to be honest, it wasn't really a punch. It was more like a shove.'"
Thompson noted the pair had to be separated but eventually calmed down and co-existed the rest of the evening.
Thompson was ejected during the Cavaliers' 124-114 overtime loss to the Warriors in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals. As Thompson was leaving the court, he and Green exchanged words before Thompson shoved the basketball in Green's face:
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After the game, Green told reporters he wouldn't be willing to resolve any unfinished business with Thompson outside Oracle Arena, since he'd face potential repercussions from the NBA. However, the three-time All-Star forward said he "can meet [Thompson] in the streets any day," per USA Today Sports:
During the Warriors' championship parade, after they swept the Cavs in the Finals, Green referenced the incident and said during the NBC Sports Bay Area broadcast that he and Thompson "ain't cut the same" (via SportsCenter):
When LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in early July, it appeared the rivalry between the Cavaliers and Warriors ended. Cleveland is no longer a serious threat to Golden State's position as the league's best team.
Based on the reported fight between Thompson and Green, the bad blood may not subside anytime soon.