Tristan

Thompson

Thompson got a chance to become a regular rotation player for small stints last year because of injuries. He averaged 3.3 points an 3.6 rebounds per contest. He likely won’t be a key piece when the Cavs are healthy.

Wade returned after over two months on the sidelines, and he made an instant impact. The numbers don’t leap off the page, but he provided floor-spacing and meaningful peripheral contributions in his first game back. Marcus Morris Sr. and Tristan Thompson logged just five minutes apiece, and Wade’s return should continue to cut into their playing time. Expect Wade’s playing time to gradually increase as he works his way back into game shape.

Allen is set to miss a third consecutive contest after suffering a rib injury against Orlando in the first round. Evan Mobley will play more minutes at center while Isaac Okoro, Marcus Morris, and Tristan Thomson get a shot to be a larger part of the frontcourt rotation.

With Allen sidelined, Evan Mobley will shift over to center, with Okoro entering the starting unit. Mobley has had a solid series, but he’ll have to really step up with Allen out of the rotation. Tristan Thompson will likely also be forced into extra minutes behind Mobley.

Allen is on the injury report after scoring a series-high 21 points in Game 4. The Cavs big man’s production has dropped off since he recorded back-to-back double-doubles in Games 1 and 2. Tristan Thompson could be asked to step up and play a larger role if Allen is ruled out.

Wade sat out Saturday’s loss to the Rockets, which was supposed to be his first game back after missing two for personal reasons. Appearing likely to remain sidelined on Monday, Wade’s minutes will be absorbed by Georges Niang (who’s starting for Evan Mobley), with Tristan Thompson also available to play rotation minutes. Niang is worth streaming, while fantasy managers can afford to leave Thompson on the waiver wire.

Thompson has averaged just five points and five boards across 15.5 minutes over his last 20 games, so this suspension won’t have much of an impact on lineup decisions for fantasy hoops managers. With Evan Mobley still on the shelf, Damian Jones could pick up a few extra backup center minutes behind Jarrett Allen.

The absence of Donovan Mitchell (illness) led to Allen getting up a few more shots after he only attempted seven in Monday’s win over the Rockets. The All-Star center has reached double figures in three of his last four games after a stretch in which he scored 18 points in three. With Darius Garland and Evan Mobley sidelined for extended periods, Allen should have more opportunities; he needs to take advantage of them. Backup Tristan Thompson gave the Cavaliers good minutes, playing 18 minutes and finishing with 10 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Thompson isn’t a must-add, but deep-league managers should keep an eye on him to see whether or not Wednesday’s performance was a fluke.

Jarrett Allen only played 15 minutes in this game before he fouled out. Evan Mobley (knee) didn’t play in this game at all. That left Thompson to play big minutes at center, and he delivered solid value. The last time Thompson recorded a double-double was in December of 2021, which came while he was playing for the Kings. Ironically, that was also against the Magic. Thompson isn’t a player to consider using a roster spot on in fantasy basketball, but he was able to turn back the clock in this game, which is always fun to see.

After spending the postseason with the Lakers, appearing in six games, Thompson is headed back to the place where he’s been most successful as a professional. A first-round pick in 2011, Thompson spent nine seasons in Cleveland, helping to propel the franchise to its first NBA title in 2016. With this iteration of the Cavaliers, he’ll provide leadership off the bench behind Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Fantasy managers don’t need to consider selecting Thompson in their leagues, regardless of size.