The Cleveland Cavaliers, now fourth in the Central Division with a 5-7 record, are in the midst of a four-game road trip. On Saturday night, the Cavs will face off against the Dallas Mavericks inside the American Airlines Center, and for a second consecutive game, they’ll be without the services of Derrick Rose.
Rose, now 29 years of age, has been dealing with soreness in his left ankle for some time, which he sprained in the second game of the season.
Shortly after Saturday morning’s shootaround in the Lonestar State, Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue announced that Iman Shumpert would start in Rose’s place against the Mavericks.
Rose was asked about his status for the remaining two games of the road trip (at New York Knicks on Monday, at Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday). The former MVP, who has already missed five games this season, was noncommittal with regards to whether or not he would be available.
“They haven’t put no timetable on it yet,” Rose told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Right now I’ve been getting treatment every day, every morning, and night when we land, on the plane. Just trying to get as much treatment as I can or just trying to be smart about it.”
In his seven games played for the Cavs this season, Rose has recorded averages of 14.3 points on 47 percent shooting from the field, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Without question, the Cavs will miss his court vision, but as they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
With Rose’s status day-to-day going forward, coach Lue will likely lean on Shumpert’s ability to run the offense — a role he seems to be increasingly familiar with. In his eight appearances for the Cavs this season, “Shump,” as he’s known, has posted averages of 6.1 points on 47 percent shooting, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. Coach lue values Shump’s defensive prowess and for good reason. If Rose has to miss another game or two, Cavs fans should expect to see more of the same: Shumpert in the starting lineup.