Cleveland, Ohio — The Cavaliers will be without a vital member of their starting lineup on Friday night.
According to cleveland.com, fourth-year forward Evan Mobley is out due to a slight ankle strain sustained in Sunday’s loss to the Miami Heat. Mobley, who was listed as questionable for Friday’s game, did not practice this week, instead opting for individual sessions. His status for Monday’s game in Brooklyn remains unknown. Friday marks only his second missed game of the season.
With Mobley out, versatile forward Dean Wade is anticipated to go into the starting lineup. Mobley made a short-range hook shot on Sunday evening in Miami. As he jumped swiftly for the second time to position himself for an offensive rebound, the 7-footer fell awkwardly on Heat forward Kevin Love’s foot. Mobley shouted in pain, stretched down to his lower left leg, and staggered back into defense. Despite spending the next several possessions walking around the court and trying to shake off the agony, Mobley was able to stay in the game and play 12 minutes in the first half.
However, he was plainly hindered by the injury and never felt well afterward. At halftime, the team agreed to keep him out for the rest of the night. Mobley told Cleveland.com after the game that he felt “good” and that the injury was not significant. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said that he usually takes a cautious approach to any injury, no matter how slight.
Mobley will join swingman Max Strus on the bench Friday night. However, Isaac Okoro will return after a knee contusion.
Strus is still waiting to make his regular-season debut. Strus returned to practice this week for the first time since a mid-October ankle injury, but he is not yet cleared for game action – despite the fact that his return date is approaching.
“He’s progressing,” Atkinson said of Strus. “I would simply say that we take our time, and I am a part of the decision-making process. We want to ensure there are no hiccups. We want to ensure he’s prepared. I’m little more conservative. I advocate for that. But at the end of the day, he will feel it. He’ll know. “We should see him soon.”
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