The Cavaliers are hoping to get their defensive anchors back soon.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without Evan Mobley (calf) and Isaac Okoro (shoulder) for the second straight game when they take on the Phoenix Suns. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson confirmed before Monday’s game that Mobley’s injury wasn’t a long-term concern while Okoro’s is more difficult to put a timetable on.
Mobley’s injury designation went from calf soreness to a calf strain. Atkinson confirmed that this injury was from taking a “hit” to the area.
“I think it’s going to be day-to-day,” Atkinson said. “At least, that’s what Steve [Spiro, Cavs head athletic trainer] told me. It’s not a bad strain. [It’s a] slight strain. I don’t think it’s going to be long-term. I think it’s going to be a pretty short thing.”
Mobley is in the midst of the best season of his career. He’s making a strong push for the All-Star Game as he’s averaging 18.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while being one of the best defenders in the league.
Okoro has been dealing with a shoulder injury dating back to mid-December. He’s played five games since the initial injury but wasn’t himself. The Cavs want to give Okoro the time he needs to return to the level of player he was before the injury.
“We want him at a great place when he returns,” Atkinson said. We just got to figure out what that looks like. And there’s a lot of hurdles to get there.”
Okoro registered just 10 points in the five games he played since the injury and shot just 3-24 from the field in those outings. Before the injury, he was providing 6.6 points per game on .495/.492/.714 shooting splits.
“But I do think when he did come back, it was still bothering him a little,” Atkinson said of Okoro. “He’s such a tough guy he wanted to play through it. … I think it affects your shooting a little bit. He won’t say that, but we know that was the case. We’ll seek to get him right for the long haul.”
The Cavs will also be without Caris LeVert (right wrist) for Monday’s game. Cleveland has a busy week ahead as they travel to take on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday and the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday before returning home Saturday to take on the Rockets again.