Despite hosting the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend, the Cleveland Cavs last played a regular-season game on February 15. They are finishing up their nearly 10-day break and are set to take on the Detroit Pistons Thursday night.
Ahead of the matchup, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff had a positive injury update on Lauri Markkanen. Locked on Cavs podcast host Chris Manning tweeted the news Wednesday afternoon.
Markkanen was able to participate in practice on Wednesday, but he is still questionable for Thursday in Detroit. The Cavs small forward hasn’t suited up since the Cavs’ January 22 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Markkanen suffered an ankle injury that took him out of the game against the Thunder. His x-rays afterward came back negative, and he has been nursing a right high-ankle sprain since.
If Markkanen continues to progress, his return would be a huge boost for Cleveland. Before his injury, the 24-year-old averaged 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
Also on the Cavs’ injury list is shooting guard Collin Sexton, who was ruled out for the rest of the season back in November with a torn meniscus.
Despite multiple injuries throughout the Cavs’ roster, the team has been predominantly successful recently. They won four of their last six games before heading into the 2022 NBA All-Star Break, and are fourth in the Eastern Conference with a winning record of 35-23.
