Cleveland Cavaliers Get Bad News on Injury Status of $36 Million Rising Star
With Donovan Mitchell already sidelined due to a nagging knee issue, the Cleveland Cavaliers were dealt with a second devastating blow after losing another starter to the injury bug.
Evan Mobley, who exited Tuesday’s contest against the Boston Celtics after hurting his ankle, is now out indefinitely due to the health setback.
Evan Mobley’s Injury Status
According to the latest updates, Mobley suffered a left ankle sprain following his bad fall midway through the third quarter of the Celtics showdown. There is still no clear timeline for his return, but Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic reported that the young big man will miss an extended period of time as a result.
“Cleveland Cavaliers starting forward Evan Mobley is likely headed for another extended absence due to injury, this time because of a sprained left ankle suffered in an improbable win Tuesday over the Boston Celtics, multiple league sources told The Athletic,” the report stated.
“Mobley has to wait for the significant swelling to subside for an official timeline, but one source said ‘it will be some time’ and another said he ‘will be out awhile.’”
This is definitely a concerning development for the Cavaliers, especially amid their bid to stay atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Cleveland, at the third seed with a 40-21 record, is still four games ahead of the fourth-seeded Orlando Magic. So they have some good cushion to keep their current standing. But the problem is it will be hard for them to climb up.
The Milwaukee Bucks are only half a game ahead with a 41-21 win-loss tally, but with their superstars out, the Cavaliers could see their rivals create some separation.
Unfortunately, all Cleveland can do right now is be patient.
Evan Mobley Injury Follows Concerning Donovan Mitchell News for Cleveland Cavaliers
What makes Evan Mobley’s injury development even more devastating for the Cleveland Cavaliers is the fact that it came after head coach JB Bickerstaff confirmed that Donovan Mitchell could be out longer than initially expected.
Mitchell is dealing with a bone bruise in his left knee, and the Cavaliers initially said he will miss their next three games as a result. But when speaking to the media prior to their comeback win against the Celtics, Bickerstaff highlighted that the superstar guard could be out longer.
“I expect him to be back before a month,” Bickerstaff said. “I don’t like to overstep my bounds, but at the end of the three games, they’ll reevaluate and then we’ll make a decision from there. “I’m hopeful and do not expect this to be a long break, but we will always do what’s best by our guys to make sure they’re healthy.”
It remains to be seen when Mitchell will be able to return, but considering the situation, Cleveland has to prepare for the worst.
It’s a next-man-up mentality now for the Cavaliers.
