Cavaliers
The Cavaliers were remarkably shorthanded for their first NBA Cup group play game against the Raptors on Friday.
Donovan Mitchell (hamstring) and Jarrett Allen (finger) joined Sam Merrill (hip), Max Strus (foot), and Darius Garland (toe) on the injury list.
Mitchell attended shootaround Friday morning but only for treatment, not drills. Allen tried to participate but struggled to catch the ball with his fractured left ring finger.
Still, coach Kenny Atkinson said he was eager to see what his depth looked like under pressure.
“I relish these opportunities,” Atkinson said before the game. “Nights like these are a measuring stick for your program. Obviously, your starters have to raise their level, but it’s a great opportunity for young guys to show what they can do in real games.”
Without four of last season’s five primary creators, Atkinson said the Cavs needed to lean heavily on their defense.
“These are find-a-way nights,” he said. “We’ve got to get stops, be smart, and give ourselves a chance at the end.”
Garland and Strus have yet to appear in a game. Garland is said to be close. None of the other injuries is believed to be serious.
Trail Blazers
Matisse Thybulle underwent surgery Friday to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb and will be re-evaluated in four-to-six weeks, the Blazers announced.
The injury occurred during Wednesday’s game in Utah, confirmed by an MRI on Thursday.
Thybulle, 28, is on an expiring $11.5 million deal and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer unless he signs an extension before June 30, 2026.
The defensive specialist had played in only 15 games last season due to knee and ankle issues after five straight years of appearing in at least 65.
He’s averaging 5.0 points and 2.5 steals in four games this fall, and Portland has performed significantly better with him on the floor — plus-21 net rating versus plus-1.8 when he sits.
On the brighter side, center Robert Williams will make his season debut against Denver, interim coach Tiago Splitter told reporters, including Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report.
Third-year wings Kris Murray and Rayan Rupert are expected to pick up extra minutes with Thybulle sidelined.
Bulls
The Bulls are taking a patient approach with rookie Noa Essengue.
Coach Billy Donovan told reporters that Essengue won’t travel to New York for Sunday’s game against the Knicks.
Instead, the 12th overall pick will be assigned to the G League’s Windy City Bulls to get consistent minutes and practice time, per Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic and K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Sports Network.
Windy City opens its season next Saturday, and Essengue is expected to spend extended time there early on. The 18-year-old forward, who played last season in Germany, hasn’t yet made his NBA debut.
Essengue struggled in Summer League and preseason action, but the Bulls believe regular run in the G League will help him adjust to NBA speed and physicality.
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