Just five games into their 2025 playoff run, the Cavaliers have run into an inordinate number of injuries.
The issues began midway through Cleveland's first-round sweep of Miami, when All-Star guard Darius Garland suffered a sprained left toe in Game 2. The issue proved serious as it has sidelined Garland through the beginning of the Cavs' East semifinals series against the Pacers.
In Game 1 against Indiana, things went from suboptimal to dreadful, as Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley suffered a sprained left ankle and deadline acquisition De'Andre Hunter sprained his right thumb in Cleveland's 121-112 loss to Indiana.
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All three players were on the injury report as the Cavs look to even the series and avoid a 2-0 series deficit before things shift to the Hoosier State.
Here's the latest on each player's status for Game 2 in Cleveland.
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Cavaliers injury updates
Will Darius Garland play in Game 2 vs. Pacers?
Garland's status for Game 2 is questionable, as of 10:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, May 6. He is listed on the injury report with a left great toe sprain.
Garland first went down with the injury in Game 2 of Cleveland's first-round series on Wednesday, April 23. He is nearing two weeks sidelined with the injury and has been a limited participant in practices and pregame workouts.
Ahead of Game 1, TNT Sports' Jared Greenberg reported Garland "would have been shut down for 1-2 weeks" if it were the regular season, citing his inability to push off due to the pain of the injury. Garland had an optimistic outlook moving forward.
Out for a third-straight game with a sprain in his left big toe, Darius Garland tells @JaredSGreenberg he's optimistic about playing on Tuesday in Game 2 🤝 pic.twitter.com/TSHNmUUMuH
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 4, 2025
Update: Garland has been ruled out for Game 2 vs. the Pacers.
Cleveland Cavaliers Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and De'Andre Hunter are all out tonight in Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers due to injuries.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 6, 2025
Will Evan Mobley play in Game 2 vs. Pacers?
Mobley's status for Game 2 is questionable, as of 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6. He is listed on the injury report with a left ankle sprain.
On Monday, Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson said there is "real concern" around Mobley and Hunter's ability to play in Game 2. Mobley landed on Myles Turner's foot in the fourth quarter of Sunday's Game 1.
Atkinson says that Mobley hurt his ankle on this play in the fourth quarter last night. pic.twitter.com/tq366xPiml
— Danny Cunningham (@RealDCunningham) May 5, 2025
He was visibly hampered by the injury down the stretch.
Update: Mobley has been ruled out for Game 2 vs. the Pacers.
Cleveland Cavaliers Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and De'Andre Hunter are all out tonight in Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers due to injuries.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 6, 2025
MORE: Everything to know about Cleveland's signature 'Cavalanche' runs
Will De'Andre Hunter play in Game 2 vs. Pacers?
Hunter's status for Game 2 is questionable, as of 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6. He is listed on the injury report with a sprained right thumb.
The injury was initially designated as a dislocated thumb, which Hunter sustained on a controversial non-call after his layup was blocked by Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin.
Bennedict Mathurin with the REJECTION 🚫 pic.twitter.com/y7BMLD17Xq
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 5, 2025
Update: Hunter has been ruled out for Game 2 vs. the Pacers.
Cleveland Cavaliers Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and De'Andre Hunter are all out tonight in Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers due to injuries.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 6, 2025
Note: These statuses will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.