Cavaliers' Tristan Thompson Discusses Ejection for Slapping Jae Crowder's Butt

Cleveland CavaliersSean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson said he'll reach out to the National Basketball Players Association to appeal the technical foul he received for slapping Memphis Grizzlies forward Jae Crowder on the butt, which led to his ejection from Friday night's game.

"So, we have a history, and it was just a little competitive spirit. [The officials] might have taken it the wrong way because they may have forgotten we were teammates," Thompson told reporters before adding he's "definitely calling [the players' association] to appeal that."

Crowder reacted to the slap by turning and looking toward an official, which may have played a role in the…