NBA Notes: Cavs, Evan Mobley, Mavericks, Dereck Lively II, Pacers

Cavaliers

Evan Mobley is still that guy defensively. Nobody’s arguing otherwise. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year remains the anchor of everything Cleveland wants to be on that end.

But the offense? That’s where the questions keep creeping in.

As Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com wrote, the Cavs were hoping Year Four would be the step — the season Mobley starts forcing the issue, taking more shots, becoming a real two-way force.

Monday didn’t help the conversation. Mobley attempted just seven shots in a loss to the Raptors and never really put his stamp on things.

The bigger question is whether that leap is still coming. The Cavs believe it is. They always have.

And with Darius Garland only recently back and the rotation still patchwork, Cleveland will keep pushing Mobley to be more than a defensive cheat code.

Two-way superstardom is still the dream. But the clock is ticking toward the point where “potential” has to become regular production.

Mavericks

Dallas has another injury worry and this one stings as much as the others.

Dereck Lively II is now dealing with swelling and discomfort in his right foot, per the Mavericks.

The team ruled him out for the upcoming three-game road trip and will re-evaluate him in seven to 10 days.

Marc Stein of The Stein Line added that the concern in Dallas is real. Lively had surgery on that foot in July, missed nine games with a right knee sprain, and has been in and out of the lineup since.

Now the injury report has shifted again, from knee management to foot management, suggesting that right leg just hasn’t fully bounced back.

Even when he’s played, it’s been in limited minutes. In seven appearances, the third-year center is averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in just 16.4 minutes.

The one bit of good news: Anthony Davis, out 14 straight with a calf strain, is reportedly trending toward practicing Wednesday.

Pacers

Is Jarace Walker finally turning a corner?

The former lottery pick has struggled badly to open the season, shooting a rough 30.7% across his first 16 games.

But Monday looked different. Walker scored a career-high 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting against Detroit, and Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star wonders if this might be the spark Indiana’s been waiting for.

A major reason? Pascal Siakam’s mentorship.

“I told him after the game I think I can count the number of dribbles he had,” Siakam said. “He just kept the game simple. Make the right play. If you’re open, let it fly. If you don’t have it, keep moving it.”

One game doesn’t make a breakthrough, but it’s the most encouraging sign yet for a young forward trying to carve out consistency.