According to multiple sources within the league, Evan Mobley, the starting forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers, is poised for another prolonged absence due to injury. This time, it’s a sprained left ankle incurred during an unexpected victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, as reported by The Athletic.
While an official timeline is pending until the considerable swelling subsides, insiders suggest that Mobley’s recovery will not be swift. One source indicates it will be “some time,” while another mentions he will be sidelined “for a while.”
Mobley sustained the injury during a successful dunk with 5:29 remaining in the third quarter of the Cavaliers’ remarkable 105-104 triumph over the Celtics. Despite trailing by 22 points in the fourth quarter, Cleveland managed a stunning comeback.
Following the ankle twist, Mobley was fouled by his teammate, Sam Merrill, to facilitate his exit from the game. He was then escorted back to the locker room and left the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on crutches. Consequently, he was ruled out for the team’s subsequent game against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
Mobley, renowned for his prowess as an All-NBA defender, has been instrumental for the Cavaliers this season, averaging 15.6 points and 10.2 rebounds. Earlier in the season, he missed six weeks due to minor knee surgery, from mid-December to late January. In his absence during Tuesday’s victory, Dean Wade stepped up admirably, scoring 20 of his 23 points during Cleveland’s dramatic fourth-quarter resurgence.
The Cavaliers find themselves grappling with additional injuries, as starters Donovan Mitchell (left knee) and Max Strus (right knee) are also sidelined this week, leaving a significant void in the team’s usual starting lineup.
Despite these setbacks, Cleveland remains in contention, trailing the Milwaukee Bucks by just half a game for second place in the Eastern Conference as they prepare for their upcoming matchup.
