Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland Listed as Questionable

It’s not out of the question that the Cavaliers could be without their starting All-Star backcourt for the start of their looming road trip, which tips off Friday vs. the Pistons.

That’s because guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are both listed as questionable on the official injury report, released Thursday.

Mitchell has a sprained left ankle, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, suffered in Wednesday’s overtime win over the Celtics.

Meanwhile, Garland has a knee issue that could potentially keep him out. Garland, of course, just returned after missing five games with a lacerated left eyelid.

Neither injury is believed to be all that serious.

The Cavs (6-1) have won six straight heading into Detroit. They then hit the West Coast on Sunday, when they play a matinee game against LeBron James and the Lakers. They will then visit the Clippers on Monday, Kings on Wednesday and defending champion Warriors on Friday.

So … what looms will already be tough enough, even if Mitchell and Garland can play. Without them, it will be a near-impossible task.

Along with Mitchell and Garland, Cavs reserve point guard Raul Neto is questionable with an ankle injury. Neto did not play against the Celtics.

Mitchell, 26, is averaging 31.1 points and 7.1 assists in first season with the Cavs. Garland, 22, scored 29 points and dished out 12 assists in his first full game of the season.

I saw #Cavs Donovan Mitchell walking sort of slowly and gingerly in the locker room after the game. Team is calling it a sprained left ankle. It happened late in the first half when he landed awkwardly following a pass.

— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) November 3, 2022