During the third quarter of Friday night’s 116-102 loss to the L.A. Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman suffered what was believed to be a left hip strain. Osman, who was starting in the second half as a result of an injury that Rodney Hood sustained earlier in the game, was unable to return to play.
Osman, now 22 years of age, played just 11 minutes in Friday’s loss, scoring three points with one steal. The Macedonian-born star gave reporters an update on his status during his post-game media availability.
“I tried to run and then I heard a pop from my groin,” Osman told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin after Friday’s game in Los Angeles. “This is the second time it happened, actually … I felt pain and I couldn’t run … Right now, when I’m walking and when I try to lift my leg up I feel pain”
Cavs superstar LeBron James posted 25 points and 10 rebounds in Friday’s loss. Jordan Clarkson added 21 points for Cleveland, whose five-game road winning streak came to an end. Larry Nance Jr. had 16 points and 12 rebounds in a matchup against DeAndre Jordan.
With Osman and Hood out of commission for an undisclosed period of time, players like J.R. Smith, George Hill, Clarkson, Kyle Korver, or even two-way guard John Holland, who’s traveling with the team for their six-game road trip, could see their usage rate increase.
The Cavs — currently the 3rd-ranked team in the Eastern Conference standings with a 38-27 overall record — will be back in action on Sunday, as they’re scheduled to face the Los Angeles Lakers right back inside the Staples Center. Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. EST with ESPN having live broadcast coverage.