Cavs lose Evan Mobley to calf strain, out 2-4 weeks

Evan Mobley will be sidelined for a stretch, adding another layer to the Cavaliers’ growing injury concerns.

Cleveland announced Saturday that Mobley has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left calf strain and is expected to miss approximately two-to-four weeks.

The injury occurred Friday night in Washington and was identified after Mobley experienced tightness following the game. An MRI conducted Saturday morning confirmed the diagnosis.

Mobley has been one of the Cavs’ steadiest presences this season, appearing in 25 of the team’s first 26 games and producing across the board. He is averaging 19.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting efficiently and appeared to be tracking toward a second consecutive All-Star selection.

Replacing his offense will not be easy. Replacing his defense may be even harder.

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 1.6 blocks per game and remains a primary deterrent at the rim, anchoring a Cleveland defense that leans heavily on his versatility and timing.

Mobley’s absence further thins an already depleted frontcourt. The Cavaliers are 15-11 and have been without starting center Jarrett Allen for most of the past month due to a right finger strain that has limited him to just one game since Nov. 19.

Backup big man Larry Nance Jr. is also sidelined with a calf strain and has not played since Nov. 28.

Veteran center Thomas Bryant is expected to see an expanded role as Cleveland works through the injuries. Bryant has appeared in 19 games since signing with the Cavs in the offseason, averaging 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per game.