Shams Charania Gives Major Injury Update Ahead Of Cavaliers-pacers Game 3

The second round of the NBA playoffs has been surprising for several of the higher-seeded teams. In fact, the home teams have a dismal record of 2-6 in the eight games played so far. 

This includes the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are down 0-2 to the Indiana Pacers. The Cavaliers had a remarkable regular season, finishing with a record of 64-18, which is the second-best in the franchise's history. The 2008-09 team, which finished 66-16, was only surpassed by this team. This success comes after a 48-34 record last season, and the team did not make any significant changes to its roster.

However, the Cavaliers have been struggling with injuries. They have been without their star point guard, Darius Garland, since the second game of the first round against the Miami Heat. This season, Garland averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game.

The Cavaliers have faced challenges during this series due to player absences. In addition to Garland, they have also been without star player Evan Mobley, who missed Game 2 after sustaining an injury in Game 1. Mobley has been a significant contributor to the team, averaging 18.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, and he plays a crucial role in their defense this season, as he was named Defensive Player of the Year this season.

Another player who has missed time is De'Andre Hunter, an important bench contributor. He, too, sat out Game 2 after getting injured in Game 1. He is averaging 17 points and 4.1 rebounds per game this season.

ESPN's Shams Charania provided updates on the statuses of all three players ahead of the critical Game 3 on "The Pat McAfee Show."

"I'm expecting Darius Garland to definitely be in (Friday)," Charania said. "He wants to play. He wants to give it a go. He's missed the last two weeks ... The bigger question is Evan Mobley. He was not able to put a bunch of weight on his foot, ankle after he sprained it the other night ... all three to my knowledge are aiming to go into (Friday's) game with the intent to warm up and play in this pivotal Game 3."

Cleveland will need all hands on deck for its upcoming game against the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Cavaliers lost the first game 121-112, which was largely dominated by the Pacers, who had a lead of as much as 12 points. Cleveland managed to lead by only four points at their highest.

In the second game, the momentum shifted significantly in favor of the Cavaliers, who led by as many as 20 points, including a 14-point advantage going into the fourth quarter. However, with just 12.1 seconds left on the clock, Cleveland was ahead by three points, but fouled Tyrese Haliburton. He made the first free throw but missed the second. However, he hit a step-back three-pointer with just one second remaining, giving the Pacers a dramatic 120-119 victory. Both of those games were in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers and Pacers will face off again on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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