Cavs’ Dylan Windler Suffers Minor Ankle Injury, Out For Preseason Opener

Cavaliers guard/forward Dylan Windler will miss the preseason-opener after suffering an ankle injury in practice, sources told Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

Windler becomes the second Cav to be ruled out, as starting forward Evan Mobley also suffered an ankle injury at practice. Mobley’s injury occurred over the weekend.

Neither injury is considered serious, with Windler’s also said to be “minor,” Fedor reported a source as saying.

Windler, 26, has struggled with injuries and inconsistency in his first three pro seasons, after the Cavs landed him with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

By all accounts, he has been off to his best start at training camp.

“I feel back to my normal self I would say,” he told reporters. “You guys know the story. It’s been a long battle. So, just being here and overcoming that and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now, my mind is clear and I can just play my game. The confidence is starting to shine through for sure.”

Windler is 6-foot-6 and averaged 2.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in 50 games last season, which was technically just his second. He missed all of his first (2019-20) while injured.

The Cavs open the preseason Wednesday with a visit to the 76ers. They will conduct their annual Wine & Gold Scrimmage on Saturday at Cleveland State.