Cleveland will be without due star forward due to an illness.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley will not be available for Friday’s game against the Chicago Bulls with an illness. He was first listed on the injury report as probable before being downgraded to questionable on Friday afternoon.
Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson didn’t expect Mobley to be available for Friday’s game.
“He’s not feeling great,” Atkinson said. “Hopefully he makes it to the arena and makes a recovery, but [I’m] not sure right now.”
It seems as if Mobley has been dealing with this sickness since at least Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. He had his lowest shot total of the season, turned it over four times, and didn’t take a three. Mobley just didn’t have the energy we’ve come to expect from him as he finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds.
This will be the first game Mobley has missed this season. Cleveland was 19-13 in regular season games he wasn’t able to participate in last season. Mobley is averaging 17.8 points with 8.6 rebounds per game this season.
Jarrett Allen, who was listed as probable on the injury report is going to give it a go. Georges Niang will be getting the start in Mobley’s place.
Friday’s game will be the Cavs first NBA Cup group-stage game of the season. They will take on the Boston Celtics on Nov. 19, the Atlanta Hawks on Nov. 29, and will round things out by hosting the Washington Wizards on Dec. 3.