Facing the prospect of a 0-2 series hole, the Cleveland Cavaliers will play the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
Darius Garland, Evan Mobley (ankle) and De'andre Hunter (thumb) All will miss the game 2 Due to injury. The Knight announced his status shortly before Tuesday's tip.
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Garland is a two-time All-Star guard who has been against the Miami Heat due to a sprained toe since the second round of Cleveland’s first round. He will miss his fourth straight game on Tuesday.
Garland's absence in the first round wasn't like Cleveland was overwhelmed without his hostile Heat. The first game against Indiana's strong offense was another matter. Cleveland worked hard to match Indiana's firepower and released Garland's first playoff defeat on the bench.
Mobley, the first All-Star game and NBA defensive player of the year, suffered an ankle injury later in Sunday's defeat. Mobley defended him in the fourth quarter with Myles Turner. Mobley hit the ball but landed on Turner's left foot and rolled away on his left ankle.
Mobley continued to play but his ankle was particularly blocked. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson filed a lawsuit Monday that Turner was supposed to have a foul during the season, causing Mobley to be injured.
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"Turner competed for his two-pointer, obviously under his leadership," Atkinson said. "The shooter needs space to land. We think - in our opinion, his balance is poor. I think you guys see him lim feet in the rest of the game."
Atkinson said Mobley continued to play because he wanted to continue to play in the intense competition.
“There is a lot of push to bring him out. He wants to stay.
Hunter was also injured in Sunday's game, and Atkinson believed that the whistle was blowing but didn't attract a whistle. He landed hard on the floor in the fourth quarter as his dunk attempt was blocked by Bennedict Mathurin and dislocated his left thumb.
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Mathurin's barrier with his right hand was clean, but he reached Turner into his chest with his left hand while both players were in the air.
Mathurin did not foul.
Like Mobley, Hunter continued to play after his injury. However, he will not be able to compete in the second critical match as Cleveland hopes to transfer the series to Indianapolis.