Okoro and Mobley will miss their second straight game.
The Cleveland Cavaliers list Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro as OUT for Monday’s game against the Phoenix Suns. This will be the second straight game both have missed.
Mobley is out with a right calf strain. He hasn’t played since the Cavaliers were thrashed in Oklahoma City. Mobley scored just 5 points in 18 minutes as the Thunder defeated Cleveland 134-114.
Meanwhile, Okoro is still nurturing the shoulder injury he suffered in December. He’s played in five games since, shooting 1-17 from the three-point line during this stretch. Perhaps additional time to heal will allow Okoro to return to form.
The Cavaliers managed to overcome the absence of both Okoro and Mobley, two of their most important defenders, in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. Cleveland’s defense found its groove in the second half after stumbling a bit in the first.
Monday’s game versus Phoenix will be another challenge. The Suns have proven to be more of a Play-In contender than a championship contender — but the duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker is never anything to scoff at. Both offensive superstars appear set to go for this game, so the Cavaliers’ defense must find a way to contain them.
Luke Travers and Emoni Bates (G League assignment) are the only other Cavaliers on the injury report. This means they should be able to rely on their depth, which has contributed heavily to their league-best 35-6 start to the season. The Cavs are currently 6.5 games ahead of the Boston Celtics but will never pass up an opportunity to widen the gap with a win on Monday.