Cavs Rookie Evan Mobley Expected To Miss 2-4 Weeks

The hits, and injuries, just keep coming for the Cavaliers, and rookie center/forward Evan Mobley is the latest unfortunate victim.

According to the team, Mobley suffered a sprained right elbow in Monday’s loss to the Celtics and is expected to miss two-to-four weeks. It’s a crushing blow for both Mobley and the Cavs, who were each off to a fantastic start.

Mobley, 20, is 7-foot-0 and was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He recently became the fastest in franchise history to reach 200 points and 100 rebounds.

For the season, he carries averages of 14.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He has also been a major difference-maker on defense as the Cavs have surprised their way to a 9-6 start.

“I get more and more comfortable every game,” Mobley said over the weekend. “Me and the coaches have been working a lot in the post as well as 3-point shooting.”

Cleveland had already been missing starting forward Lauri Markkanen and leading scorer Collin Sexton, as well as reserve power forward Kevin Love.

Markkannen and Love have been in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, and Sexton is expected to be out for an extended period with an MCL tear. Love could return as soon as Wednesday, coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. That’s good, because without Mobley, the Cavs could sure use him.

Mobley has also been a great fit next to starting center Jarrett Allen, who missed Monday’s loss with an undisclosed (non-COVID) illness. Allen isn’t expected to miss much time, but he is scheduled to be out for Wednesday’s game vs. the Nets, too.

The fact the Cavs have been able to stay afloat with all these injuries and illnesses is what has made this season so promising. But Mobley has been a major reason for that, and an extended absence could make things take a sudden turn for the worse.

After visiting the Nets on Wednesday, the Cavs return home to play the Western Conference-leading Warriors the next night.

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