According to the Canadian Press on Friday, two Cleveland Cavaliers players are facing long term injuries. Guard Darius Garland of Gary, Indiana is expected to be out one month with a broken jaw, and power forward Evan Mobley of San Diego, California is expected to be out two months with knee surgery.
Garland, who was an National Basketball Association All-Star with the Cavaliers in 2021-22, is averaging 20.7 points per game, 5.9 assists per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, and 1.6 steals per game this season. He also has a field goal percentage of .470, three-point percentage of .346, and a free throw percentage of .835.
Mobley’s focus in his game is a little bit more on defense. He was on the 2022-23 All-Defensive Team. Last season he averaged nine rebounds per game and 1.5 blocks per game. In 2023-24, Mobley is averaging a double-double with 16 points per game, and 10.5 rebounds per game. He is also averaging 2.9 assists per game, 1.7 blocks per game, and a field goal percentage of .573, three-point percentage of .200, and a free throw percentage of .769.
So far in 2023-24, Mobley has had a dozen double-doubles, which is the 15th most in the NBA. One could make the argument that Mobley’s most impressive double-double was his last double-double. It came on November 28 in a 128-105 Cavaliers win over the Atlanta Hawks. Mobley had a single game career-high 19 rebounds and 17 points. He was also a +25, which was his second highest plus/minus total this season. Mobley was a +26 in a 109-95 Cavaliers win over the Portland Trail Blazers on November 15.
We projected the Cavaliers to finish second in the Central Division this season. With the recent injuries, that placement may be challenging with the recent injuries, and the fact the Indiana Pacers are scoring at a prolific pace.
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