Thompson gets fined, but escapes suspension

OAKLAND, United States (AFP) – Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Friday but was not suspended for an altercation with Golden State's Draymond Green in the NBA Finals opener.

The 27-year-old Canadian's actions late in the Warriors' 124-114 overtime home victory Thursday were reviewed by league officials with concern Thompson could have been suspended for game two Sunday at Oakland.

Instead, Thompson was fined for failing to leave the court in a timely manner after being ejected and for shoving the ball in Green's face with 2.6 seconds remaining in overtime after being taunted by the Warriors forward for being ejected.

In addition, the flagrant level 2 foul issued to Thompson in challenging a shot by Golden State's Shaun Livingston was downgraded to a Flagrant 1 after the league review.

Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said before the punishment announcement that, ''I know the league will do the right thing'' in Thompson's situation.

Cavaliers teammate George Hill was also confident Thompson would not be banned, saying, ''I don't think it was a big deal. We'll let the NBA figure that out. If we're going to be that petty to do that, so be it.''

Thompson was ejected after contesting Livingston's final shot to avoid a shot-clock violation turnover with the outcome long since decided.

That's when Green waved goodbye and continued taunting Thompson, who responded by shoving the ball into Green's face, prompting players from both teams to separate the two.

''I'm not too concerned if Thompson is going to be available or not,'' Golden State guard Klay Thompson said.

''I thought it was unnecessary when he shoved the ball in Draymond's face. That was very uncalled for. You don't do that when two people are just talking.''

Many teams simply allow the shot clock to expire in such situations but the Warriors have typically taken shots.

''I don't know why I got thrown out,'' Cleveland's Thompson said after the loss. ''I contested a shot that shouldn't have been taken.

Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors gestures after a no-look pass during overtime of Game One against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. The Warriors won, 124-114. (AP)