Cavs’ Mobley out next game, maybe more, with ankle sprain

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers rookie ahead Evan Mobley will miss Wednesday evening’s sport towards Dallas — and possibly extra — with a sprained left ankle because the injury-plagued group fights for a playoff spot.

Mobley acquired harm within the first half of Monday’s win over Orlando. The 7-footer went as much as contest a shot after which got here down on Magic ahead Franz Wagner’s foot, rolling his ankle.

Mobley limped to the locker room and didn’t return. As soon as they shook off the shock of yet one more harm, the Cavaliers held on for a 107-101 win. It was their forty second this season, 20 greater than a 12 months in the past, and clinched Cleveland’s first profitable season with out LeBron James on the roster since 1998.

The group didn’t present an replace on the 20-year-old Mobley, however listed him as out on its harm report, which has been crammed with the names of Cavaliers gamers for months.

Mobley, the No. 3 total choose within the draft, is averaging 14.9 factors and eight.3 rebounds in 67 begins and is a contender for Rookie of the 12 months honors.

All-Star heart Jarrett Allen can even miss the matchup with the Mavericks. He’s been out since March 6 with a damaged finger, and it’s not recognized when he’ll be again with the Cavs, who’re seventh within the Jap Convention with seven video games remaining.

The highest six groups are assured playoff spots whereas groups No. 7-10 will meet in a play-in event.

The Cavs have misplaced main scorer Collin Sexton, veteran guard Ricky Rubio and ahead Dean Wade to season-ending knee accidents. Allen has been out for the previous 11 video games and guard Rajon Rondo has missed the final eight with a sprained proper ankle.

The group has additionally been with out guard Caris LeVert and ahead Lauri Markkanen for lengthy stretches, forcing coach J.B. Bickerstaff to get inventive with lineups, rotations and techniques.

“I don’t know if there’s been one other group that’s gone by means of what we’ve gone by means of — Caris being out and Lauri being out and D.G. being out, whoever it might be,” ahead Kevin Love stated after the Orlando win. “We’ve had guys step up and play nicely however we’re the kind of group that our power of the group is the group.

“Once we’re complete we’re simply significantly better.”

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Extra AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports