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Cavaliers Coach Issues Concerning Statement On Injuries Before Game 4 Vs. Pacers
The Cleveland Cavaliers started the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with a disastrous first two games at home, not only suffering two losses to the Pacers but also seeing two new injuries--a sprained thumb for DeAndre Hunter and an ankle injury for Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley--added to a slate that was already highlighted by a toe injury for star guard Darius Garland.
On Friday night, the East's top seed began to right the ship somewhat, dominating the Pacers on the road with a 126-104 wire-to-wire win, cutting the series tally to 2-1 and ensuring there will be a Game 5 back in Cleveland. They did so with a finally healthy group in tow.
Garland, Mobley and Hunter all played for the Cavs for the first time since April 23, which was Game 2 of the opening series against the Heat.
Star guard Donovan Mitchell led the way with 43 points, his second straight game with 40-plus points of offense. But after the game, Mitchell was not ready to take a victory lap.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) talks with head coach Kenny Atkinson. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images“No. We’ve got a job to do. We can’t relax. We have to keep our foot on the throttle,” Mitchell said.
Indeed, the Cavaliers do not have much time to celebrate the win on Friday. They will be back in action on Sunday night, after all, facing the Pacers in Game 4 again in Cleveland.
The quick turnaround does have the Cavaliers concerned, though. Garland, Mobley and Hunter are still injured, and might not have played on Friday if it were not the playoffs.
After the game, coach Kenny Atkinson had a sobering statement about that. Via The Athletic, he said: "We (only) get one day recovery here, so a quick turnaround. Just hope they can … be ready to go (Sunday).”
"Hope" is a bit worrisome.
It's what Cavaliers guard Max Strus said, too.
“We appreciate them fighting through whatever they’re going through,” Strus said. “We’re grateful for them, and hopefully they can do it again on Sunday.”
Mobley was excellent, with 18 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks and three steals on Friday. Garland had some rust (10 points on 3-for-10 shooting), as did Hunter (2-for-6, eight points). The Cavs will need all three to be on the floor for Game 4, but the best they can offer on that is "hope."
