Several factors have played a role in the Cavs’ struggles this season, including injuries. And though they’re struggling now, Jordan Clarkson believes Cleveland can “win some games” when the roster is healthy.
After Monday afternoon’s 104-88 loss to the Chicago Bulls — their 16th in 17 attempts — the Cleveland Cavaliers are 9-39, which remains the worst record in the NBA. The situation is bleak, but the team thinks a turnaround is possible.
Clarkson, who posted 12 points in Monday’s matchup, has been one of Cleveland’s primary options on the offensive end of the floor. Other teams are likely watching his production with a keen eye, but J.C. says he still likes the direction the Cavs are heading:
“Every year I kinda been in trade talks because everybody wants a scorer off the bench, especially playoff teams,” Clarkson told Joe Vardon of The Athletic. “At the end of the day, if that’s what they want to do, I ain’t got no choice. I like Cleveland, I like my teammates, I think we’ve got a good thing going in terms of the right direction. We’ve got a lot of injuries. You can say, oh, their record is bad, they ain’t going in the right direction; I feel like we get guys back, we’ll get it going, feel like we can win some games.”
At the beginning of this season, the Cavs told their fans they would compete for a spot in the playoffs. Those plans flew out the proverbial window roughly two weeks in. Now, with several talented prospects expected to enter this year’s draft, it seems the tank is on in Cleveland.
Clarkson is right about Cleveland’s injuries, though. Several players on the squad have dealt with ailments this season. And in fact, some still are, including Kevin Love (toe), Tristan Thompson (foot soreness), Larry Nance Jr. (knee) and David Nwaba (ankle).
Love has been out of commission for months. Nwaba has been sidelined since late December, but it sounds like he’s nearing a return. Nance has been out two weeks. Thompson, who’s posting some of the best stats of his career, has missed the last three games.
Cleveland’s next shot at claiming a victory comes on Wednesday, when they’ll face the Boston Celtics inside TD Garden. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.