Shortly before 4:00 p.m. EST Thursday, news came down the wire stating that Cleveland Cavaliers big man Larry Nance Jr. will be held out of Thursday night’s game in Portland against the Trail Blazers due to a right hamstring injury. According to a report from Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue has given rookie Ante Zizic a starting nod at center in Nance Jr’s stead.
Nance Jr. had his hamstring taped during Thursday’s shootaround. The former University of Wyoming standout seems to have suffered the injury during the second half of Tuesday night’s 129-107 win over the Phoenix Suns. The Cavs held him out most of the final 24 minutes for precautionary measures.
In his 13 games played for the Cavs this season (five starts), Nance Jr. has racked up averages of 11.6 points on 60.6 percent shooting from the field, 7.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and just under one block (.9).
In other Cavs injury news, Rodney Hood, who missed Cleveland’s previous two games due to a lower back strain, is back in the lineup. However, Coach Lue says the former Duke Blue Devil will be on a minutes restriction.
“I think Rodney is only going to have a short minutes restriction,” Coach Lue told Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. “Just trying to see where he fits best as far as matchups on the floor against Portland.”
Kyle Korver, who posted 22 points with five three-pointers in Tuesday’s win over the Suns, will start for the Cavs at the shooting guard position for the second time this season.
Thursday night’s matchup between the Cavs and B;azers is scheduled to tip inside the Moda Center at 10:00 p.m. EST with FOX Sports Ohio having live broadcast coverage.