Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland and New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram were among 14 players who were ruled out with injuries for their teams’ game on Wednesday night.
Garland, who has been dealing with left groin soreness, had started in the first 16 games for Cleveland, which currently has the best record in the NBA at 15-1.
The Cavaliers’ franchise-record winning streak ended on Tuesday in Boston with a 120-117 loss, and Garland struggled, making just 3 of 21 field-goal attempts.
Cleveland is also missing several other rotation players, including Caris LeVert (left knee inflammation), Isaac Okoro (left ankle strain), Sam Merrill (left ankle soreness), Dean Wade (left ankle sprain), and Max Strus (right ankle sprain).
“It tests our depth, but personally, I like games like this because it also tests your roster,” said Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson. “With 17 games in 29 days and the league playing faster, I don’t know how these guys do it.”
Ingram, who is dealing with a bilateral ankle sprain, missed his first game of the season after playing 33 minutes in a 132-91 loss to Dallas on Tuesday. Ingram is currently averaging a team-high 23.2 points per game.
New Orleans also had its top six scorers unavailable in Cleveland, including three other starters: Zion Williamson (left hamstring strain), CJ McCollum (right adductor strain), and Trey Murphy III (right hamstring).
“We believe Brandon will be fine, but given the circumstances and the minutes he played last night, this was a decision we came to,” said Pelicans coach Willie Green. “This is an opportunity for guys who usually wouldn’t be on the floor to get some time.”
