The Cavaliers will be shorthanded again when they face the Heat on Wednesday.
As expected, the injury report is a long one. Darius Garland remains out with a left toe injury — the same toe he had offseason surgery on — while Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley will both sit for rest purposes, as relayed by Cleveland.com’s Ethan Sands.
Second-year wing Jaylon Tyson is also sidelined as he continues to work through concussion protocol.
Larry Nance Jr. is listed as questionable with a left knee contusion.
Garland’s setback looms largest, as the All-Star guard was just three games into his return before re-injuring the toe in Monday’s overtime loss at Miami.
The Cavs will likely lean more on Sam Merrill, Lonzo Ball, and Craig Porter Jr. to pick up backcourt minutes in his absence, however long that may be.
The Cavaliers (7-4) lost an overtime heartbreaker in Miami on Monday. Now, they’ll try to avenge the defeat without tons of their biggest guns.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
Sam,
I am sending a big red flag on Coach Kenny and the Cavs trainer on Monday’s health decisions.
First, my wife and I could see from our couch that Tyson was dazed after hitting his head on Merrill’s leg. He had a blank stair sitting on the bench and I think it was Donovan who noticed and asked him if he was ok. I didn’t see the trainer take a good look at him once.
Secondly, to let Garland continue to play after initially hurting that same toe is just ASININE! When I heard Kenny say they “trusted him” to give it a try in the second half, I lost some respect for his decision making.
Finally, with Nance out, not playing Bryant looks look poor judgement as well. To say Mobley is “tired” after 10 games with a day off is alarming. 🤨