The Cavaliers are now facing the unfortunate news that Isaac Okoro will be sidelined for at least two weeks due to a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.
The injury happened in the third quarter of Monday’s dominant win over Brooklyn, a game where the Cavs crushed the Nets by 29 points. Okoro, who had been playing well, finished with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting in just 20 minutes.
The 23-year-old wing, a former No. 5 overall pick, signed a three-year deal with the Cavs this past offseason. While his offensive contributions have been modest, his defensive impact cannot be overstated.
Okoro has routinely been tasked with guarding the opponent’s best perimeter player, a role he has embraced. And on top of that, he’s enjoying a career year from three-point range, shooting a career-high 49.2% (30-of-61).
The timing of Okoro’s injury stings, but the Cavaliers have been largely healthy so far this season, with Max Strus as the only significant injury. Strus is still recovering from an ankle injury and has yet to make his season debut, though he was expected to return soon — only to face some unexpected setbacks.
Without Okoro, the Cavs will need other players to step up. LeVert, Dean Wade, Sam Merrill, and possibly Strus (if healthy) are all in line for more minutes in his absence.
The good news for Cleveland is that the team is firing on all cylinders, sitting at the top of the NBA standings with a 23-4 record. With Okoro expected to miss at least six games, the Cavs will have to keep rolling, but this is a tough loss for the defensive-minded wing who’s quietly had a great season.
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