| News |
|---|
|
Darius Garland Darius Garland (toe) expected to play in Game 3
Fri, May 9, 2025, 7:53 AM
Pat McAfee Show
According to Shams Charania during an appearance on the Pat McAfee show, he expects Darius Garland to play in Friday's Game 3 against the Pacers.
Analysis: The news couldn't come at a better time, as Shams also expects Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter to take the court. Cleveland fell behind 2-0 in the series with a wild final minute of Game 2 that culminated in a Tyrese Haliburton game-winning three-pointer. Teams down 3-0 in a series have never come back to win, so a victory on Friday is crucial in keeping the Cavs' season alive. With Garland expected back, Ty Jerome will retreat back to the bench. |
|
De'Andre Hunter De'Andre Hunter (thumb) questionable for Game 3
Thu, May 8, 2025, 8:27 AM
Evan Dammarell
De'Andre Hunter (thumb) is questionable for Game 3 on Friday against the Pacers.
Analysis: Hunter, who dislocated the thumb on his shooting (right) hand during Game 1, was one of three Cavaliers' rotation players to miss Game 2, with Darius Garland and Evan Mobley being the others. Hunter's absence led to more rotation minutes for Isaac Okoro, who logged 30 minutes in Game 2 and finished with five points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals. How much Okoro plays in Game 3 will also depend on the status of Evan Mobley (ankle), who did not play in Game 2. |
|
Evan Mobley Mobley (ankle) questionable for Game 3 Friday
Thu, May 8, 2025, 8:24 AM
Evan Dammarell
Evan Mobley (ankle) is questionable for Game 3 on Friday against the Pacers.
Analysis: Mobley sprained his ankle during Cleveland's Game 1 loss to the Pacers, which kept him out of Game 2 on Tuesday. Dean Wade moved into the starting lineup but offered minimal value, finishing with three points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one three-pointer in 30 minutes. He'll likely retain his spot in the starting lineup if Mobley cannot play. However, with Cleveland in a 0-2 hole, look for the Defensive Player of the Year to do all he can to be available. |
|
Darius Garland Darius Garland (toe) questionable for Game 3 Fri.
Thu, May 8, 2025, 8:21 AM
Evan Dammarell
Darius Garland (toe) is questionable for Game 3 against the Pacers on Friday.
Analysis: Due to a sprained left big toe, Garland has not appeared in a game since Game 2 of Cleveland's first-round series against the Heat. While Sam Merrill started Game 1, he was moved to the bench for Game 2, with Ty Jerome taking over as the starter alongside Donovan Mitchell. The Cavaliers were also without Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter for Game 2, which impacted the lineup overall. |
|
Max Strus Max Strus has 23 points, Cavs drop Game 2
Tue, May 6, 2025, 3:57 PM
Max Strus had 23 points (8-of-18 FGs), eight rebounds, four assists and five three-pointers in Game 2 against the Pacers on Tuesday.
Analysis: Strus stepped up in Game 2. With Darius Garland (toe), Evan Mobley (ankle) and De'Andre Hunter (thumb) out and the Cavaliers in need of scoring, Strus had 23 points on 18 shots including five made three-pointers. Strus hit his last three with just over a minute left in the fourth quarter, which gave the Cavs a seven-point lead. Unfortunately, Cleveland would squander that lead and fall behind 2-0 in the series. Strus will continue to be counted on for increased scoring unless the Cavaliers can get healthy for Game 3. |
|
Donovan Mitchell Mitchell's 48 points not enough in Game 2 loss
Tue, May 6, 2025, 3:55 PM
Donovan Mitchell had 48 points (15-of-30 FGs), five rebounds, nine assists, four steals, one block and one three-pointer in Tuesday's Game 2 loss to the Pacers.
Analysis: With the Cavaliers down Evan Mobley (ankle), Darius Garland (toe) and De'Andre Hunter (thumb), Mitchell took on a huge scoring workload in Game 2, but it still wasn't enough. He poured in a staggering 48 points, despite only going 1-of-7 from behind the three-point line. Mitchell was also getting others involved in the offense as he led the Cavaliers with nine assists. The 28-year-old shooting guard was able to get to the free throw often as he was 17-of-21 on free throws. Mitchell and the Cavaliers will have to regroup after dropping the first two games of the series at home. If the Cavaliers don't get some of their injured players back for Game 3, the onus will fall on Mitchell again to provide most of the offense. |
|
Donovan Mitchell Cavs shake up starting five amid injuries Tuesday
Tue, May 6, 2025, 12:41 PM
Ty Jerome, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen will start in Game 2 against the Pacers on Tuesday.
Analysis: With Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and De'Andre Hunter all ruled out, the Cavaliers are down three of their top six players for Game 2. It's a tough blow, especially considering Cleveland already dropped Game 1 of the series at home. The Cavs figure to rely heavily on Jerome and Strus to provide some scoring to support what will undoubtedly be a massive workload for Mitchell. |
|
De'Andre Hunter De'Andre Hunter (thumb) out for Game 2 vs. Pacers
Tue, May 6, 2025, 12:32 PM
De'Andre Hunter (thumb) is out for Game 2 against the Pacers on Tuesday.
Analysis: Hunter was injured after taking a hard fall on a contested drive by Myles Turner. Despite no foul being called, Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters Hunter was âobliteratedâ on the play and that the 27-year-old small forward dislocated his thumb. With Evan Mobley and Darius Garland also ruled out, the Cavaliers will be without three of their top six players while already facing a 1-0 deficit in the series in Game 2. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley, Darius Garland out for Game 2 vs. IND
Tue, May 6, 2025, 12:31 PM
Evan Mobley (ankle) and Darius Garland (toe) are out for Game 2 against the Pacers on Tuesday.
Analysis: Mobley tweaked his ankle in Game 1 of the series. Despite his questionable listing, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters two of his best players were doubtful for Game 2 when referring to Mobley and De'Andre Hunter. Garland sat out Game 1 with a toe injury and his status is unchanged for Game 2. The Cavaliers will roll with a starting lineup of Ty Jerome, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen in Game 2. |
|
Darius Garland Darius Garland (toe) questionable Tuesday
Mon, May 5, 2025, 10:02 AM
Evan Dammarell
Darius Garland (toe) is questionable for Tuesday's Game 2 against the Pacers.
Analysis: Garland sat out the Game 1 loss to Indiana on Sunday, and his availability will be crucial for Cleveland's chances of taking Game 2. Sam Merrill started Game 1 in Garland's place, but provided only a 6/4/4 line with two triples across 18 minutes. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley, De'Andre Hunter questionable Tuesday
Mon, May 5, 2025, 9:54 AM
Jared Greenberg
Evan Mobley (ankle) and De'Andre Hunter (thumb) are questionable for Game 2 against the Pacers on Tuesday.
Analysis: Head coach Kenny Atkinson âexpressed real concernâ for the availability of the two players, and Cleveland could be sorely shorthanded with Darius Garland also banged up. If Mobley and Hunter are ultimately sidelined, expect Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro to pick up some extra minutes. |
|
Ty Jerome Ty Jerome contributes 21 points, eight assists
Sun, May 4, 2025, 3:03 PM
Ty Jerome produced 21 points (8-of-20 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), three rebounds, eight assists, one steal and one three-pointer in 29 minutes in a Game 1 loss to the Pacers on Sunday.
Analysis: Jerome was one of the best sixth men in the NBA this season, and the continued absence of Darius Garland (toe) means the Cavaliers need more production from him. However, he was inefficient in Game 1, shooting 40 percent from the field on 20 attempts. Among the Cavaliers who saw action, only Donovan Mitchell (30) had more attempts from Jerome. While Jerome's ability to provide production off the bench will be critical in this series, the Cavaliers must share the wealth better than they did in Game 1. |
|
Evan Mobley Evan Mobley records 20/10/2/2 line in Game 1 loss
Sun, May 4, 2025, 3:01 PM
Evan Mobley shot 9-of-13 from the field in Sunday's Game 1 loss to the Pacers, tallying 20 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two three-pointers in 35 minutes.
Analysis: Mobley was excellent in Game 1, finishing a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. The Cavaliers' lack of offensive balance did them in on Sunday afternoon, with Mobley being one of three players to reach double digits in shot attempts. Jarrett Allen (12/5/1/2 in 30 minutes) only attempted seven shots, while Donovan Mitchell's 30 attempts were ten more than Allen and Mobley combined. Cleveland will try to even the series at one game apiece on Tuesday. |
|
Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell scores game-high 33 points Sunday
Sun, May 4, 2025, 2:58 PM
Donovan Mitchell finished Sunday's Game 1 loss to the Pacers with 33 points (13-of-30 FGs, 6-of-9 FTs), five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one three-pointer in 34 minutes.
Analysis: While Mitchell's final point tally was excellent, how he reached that number was not. The Cavaliers' leading scorer shot 1-of-11 from three, and Indiana outscored the Cavaliers by 33 points from beyond the arc. Once again playing without Darius Garland (toe), the Cavaliers could not control the tempo. Changing that for Tuesday's Game 2 becomes exponentially more difficult if Garland cannot play, regardless of what Mitchell does individually. |
|
Darius Garland Darius Garland (toe) out for Game 1 vs. Indiana
Sun, May 4, 2025, 11:36 AM
Tony East
Darius Garland (toe) is out for Game 1 on Sunday against the Pacers.
Analysis: With Garland practicing on Friday, there was hope that he would return to action on Sunday despite sitting out Saturday's practice session. (It was a scheduled day off for Garland.) Unfortunately, the Cavaliers guard was not on the court during his usual pregame warmup time, and he has officially been ruled out for Sunday's series opener. Sam Merrill started the final two games of Cleveland's first-round series and will retain that role against the Pacers. |
|
Darius Garland Darius Garland (toe) misses practice Saturday
Sat, May 3, 2025, 10:12 AM
Danny Cunningham
Darius Garland (toe) did not practice on Saturday and is still considered âday-to-day.â
Analysis: Garland practiced on Friday, and head coach Kenny Atkinson said this was a scheduled day off to see how his toe responded. His status for Game 1 on Sunday is up in the air, but this isn't an alarming absence from practice. Garland missed Games 3 and 4 against the Heat, and Sam Merrill would likely continue to start if Garland remains out. |
|
Ty Jerome Ty Jerome tallies 18/3/5 line off bench Monday
Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 4:32 PM
Ty Jerome finished with 18 points (5-of-8 FGs), three rebounds, five assists, one block and three three-pointers in Game 4 against the Heat on Monday.
Analysis: This was the first postseason series of Jerome's career, and it couldn't have gone much better. He's still never lost a playoff game, and he averaged 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.5 triples per game in this series. Jerome will continue to provide them with excellent depth, though if Darius Garland (toe) is back for Game 1 of the second round, Jerome may not be as productive, since he will likely lose out on minutes. |
|
Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen turns in 14/12/2/6 line in Game 4
Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 4:20 PM
Jarrett Allen recorded a double-double in Game 4 on Monday with 14 points (5-of-5 FGs), 12 rebounds, two assists and six steals in 25 minutes against the Heat.
Analysis: After only missing one shot in a Game 3 blowout win, Allen and the Cavs were even better in the series-clinching victory. They went from winning by 37 to winning by 55, and Allen was perfect from the floor and the free throw line. He also tied the franchise record for steals. What made things more impressive was that he did most of that in the first half as he entered the break with 12 points, 11 rebounds and six swipes. If the score wasn't so lopsided, this could've been a truly special performance for him, though his dominance was the reason for the blowout. He'll look to carry this into the next round. |
|
De'Andre Hunter De'Andre Hunter scores 19 points off bench Monday
Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 4:07 PM
De'Andre Hunter provided a boost off the bench with 19 points (6-of-11 FGs), one rebound, one assist, one steal and three three-pointers in Game 4 against the Heat on Monday.
Analysis: Hunter may have posted a dud in Game 1 of this series, but the last three games were all strong performances for him. That was more than enough to help Cleveland advance to the second round. 18 of his 19 points came before halftime, so Hunter certainly could've scored more if the game wasn't over at that point. He'll continue to play a significant role off the bench as the Cavaliers' postseason run continues in the conference semifinals. |
|
Donovan Mitchell Mitchell scores 22, Cavs complete sweep of Heat
Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 4:02 PM
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 22 points (8-of-15 FGs), five assists, one steal and four three-pointers in a 138-83 win over the Heat in Game 4 on Monday.
Analysis: Mitchell only needed 25 minutes in this game to lead the Cavs in scoring and help them advance to the second round of the playoffs. Things got out of hand quickly, and they were able to take a 39-point lead into halftime. Mitchell certainly could've had a bigger night if this game was remotely close. They'll take on the winner of the Pacers/Bucks series, and with Indiana leading 3-1 and hosting on Tuesday, Cleveland may not get a ton of time to rest before their second-round series begins. |
Connect With Us:
