LOS ANGELES: Tristan Thompson didn’t want to open his mouth at first, at least not in front of the television cameras.
But as the Cavaliers center discussed the Julius Randle elbow he took to his two front teeth in Sunday night’s 125-120 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center, he started to come around. After a few minutes, the “throwback braces” he could be forced to wear for two weeks might have seemed like another badge of courage for the team’s iron man.
So Thompson finally showed his “metal,” smiling as he did.
What was required to fix Thompson’s teeth is not for the faint of heart. Because he was dripping blood, Thompson was forced to leave the game with 3:15 remaining in the third quarter as Randle was called for a technical foul for a hostile act.
In the locker room, Thompson was attended to by the Lakers’ team dentist, who numbed his mouth, popped the teeth back in place and put on the thin metal braces.
Asked which teeth, Thompson said, “Two front teeth,” then added, “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.”
He had shaken off the incident so well it was a wonder he didn’t sing the lyrics to the children’s song.
Thompson’s injury continued nearly two months of strange Cavaliers’ dental issues.
On March 4 at Miami, Iman Shumpert chipped his two front teeth. On Feb. 9 at Oklahoma City, DeAndre Liggins had a tooth fall out and it caused a migraine.
It’s a wonder the Cavaliers’ dentist hasn’t joined the traveling party.
Cavs coach Tyronn Lue described Thompson’s mouth as “nasty” and said he was “messed up.”
Thompson said he did not take a selfie to remember the gruesome sight.
But barring complications, Thompson’s beloved 439 consecutive regular-season games played streak does not seem threatened. It is a franchise record and the longest among active players in the NBA.
“I doubt that,” Lue said. “He was on the bench smiling with his mouthpiece in. I don’t think he feels too much pain.”
Called “a tough kid” by teammate Richard Jefferson, Thompson said he never considered that he might have to sit out Wednesday night at Denver, ending his string.
“No, I was worried about my mouth, making sure that my two front teeth didn’t fall out. I’m glad they’re here. Doc did a great job,” he said.
“I’ve been very lucky, fortunate, you play enough basketball games, stuff like this happens. We’ve got guys here to fix it up and get you back on the court.”
Asked who had it worse, himself or Shumpert, Thompson said, “Well, Shump ain’t have no teeth for a night, so I think I’m good.”
The dental issue doesn’t sound like it will sideline Thompson. But Lue knows Thompson will need a break before the playoffs begin in mid-April and suggested recently how he will make that happen.
“We’re going to get him some rest, but he’s not going to miss a game. Probably play two minutes or whatever and then sit down,” Lue said Tuesday. “I know how important that is for him with his streak and being available, being an iron man.
“You like that about players. He wants to play. But we’ll get him some rest.”
Thompson didn’t sound crazy about that plan.
Asked if playing two minutes and coming out would bother him, Thompson said Saturday, “Yeah, because you go through the routine and get all warm. If I come in for a jump ball and have a quick foul, I want to be out there playing. Like what T-Lue is always preaching, it’s a marathon, it’s a long season. Having me for the postseason at 100 percent, that’s what’s important. You’ve got to be grown and kind of accept that and sit your tail down.”
Thompson acknowledged that playing on a team of stars he doesn’t have much of a calling card other than the streak and his rebounding. Going into Monday’s games, he stands 13th in the league in rebounds per game (9.5) and is tied for fourth in offensive rebounds per game (3.7).
Asked why he never takes a game off, Thompson said, “Cuz I’ve got this streak and I want to keep it going. Got to be great at something, so got to keep the streak alive. It isn’t easy though, but got to keep it alive.”
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her blog at www.ohio.com/marla. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.