The Cleveland Cavaliers are actively surprising everyone in 2021-22. J.B. Bickerstaff’s upstart squad is 19-12 more than a third of the way into the regular season and is clearly to be a factor in the East.
However, as with more or less every team in the NBA, the COVID-19 positive tests have ruined the mood in Ohio. As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports, five new players on the Cavs roster have entered COVID-19 protocols.
Per league rules, every team must have at least eight players to start the game. Right now, due to various issues, the Cavaliers have four players out.
Against the COVID-ravaged Bucks on Saturday, the Cavs could not field Tacko Fall, Evan Mobley, Isaac Okoro and Collin Sexton. With five additional players sidelined, Cleveland’s game on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks has reportedly been postponed.
This outbreak is coming at the worst possible time for the Cavs. They’ve kept their momentum going even after losing Sexton to a season-ending injury about a month ago, winning six straight games.
Here’s hoping COVID-19 isn’t the obstacle that derails Cleveland’s dream season. Even if the short-handed Cavs struggle once they have enough players to compete, they should still be a stable playoff team by the end of the season once their core players come back healthy.