The Cavs could be getting a key bench piece back for Friday’s pivotal NBA Cup game.
The Cleveland Cavaliers could be getting the return of one of their most productive bench players as Caris LeVert has been upgraded to questionable ahead of Friday’s NBA Cup group play game against the Atlanta Hawks. LeVert hasn’t played since the Nov. 17 win against the Charlotte Hornets.
LeVert has been sidelined with a knee injury that dates back to the playoffs. He missed Game 5 of the second-round series vs. the Boston Celtics with a left knee bone bruise. LeVert said before the season that he spent most of the summer rehabbing that knee and that it didn’t feel fully healthy until a few weeks before camp started.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson said before Wednesday’s game that he doesn’t believe this is a long-term concern for LeVert.
“I don’t anticipate it being a huge thing,” Atkinson said. “I think it’s a little more wear and tear than, oh man, we got to worry about this thing long term.”
Dean Wade also hasn’t played since Nov. 17. He remains out with an ankle injury he suffered in the third quarter in the victory over Charlotte. Atkinson said last Saturday that he’s “progressing nicely,” but there hasn’t been an update since.
Cleveland’s defensive struggles began when Wade exited the lineup. They had the ninth-ranked defense from the start of the season until Wade’s injury (112.5 defensive rating). Since the injury, they’ve been 21st (118.2 defensive rating). Losing Wade is a big reason for the falloff.
The Cavs will look to right the ship in a pivotal NBA Cup game on Friday afternoon. Having LeVert back would greatly improve their chances of doing so.