The Cavs will close out their six-game road trip with a matchup against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, but they’ll be doing so without several players, including Kyle Korver, who has been excused from the team to deal with a family matter. According to a report from Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the former Creighton Blue Jay left the team on Friday. Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue has decided to give Jose Calderon a starting nod in Korver’s absence.
Via Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com:
Jose Calderon, George Hill, LeBron James, Jeff Green and Ante Zizic will start tonight for the short-handed Cavaliers against the Chicago Bulls, coach Tyronn Lue said.
Rodney Hood (back), Larry Nance Jr. (hamstring), Tristan Thompson (ankle), Cedi Osman (hip), and Kevin Love (hand) have also been ruled out of Saturday night’s game with injuries.
Calderon, now 36 years of age, has played in 45 games with the Cavs this season (25 starts), averaging 3.8 points on 50.4 percent shooting from the field (43.9 percent from beyond the arc), 1.9 assists and 1.3 rebounds.
Due to the Cavs’ depleted roster situation, JR Smith, Jordan Clarkson, John Holland and London Perrantes will likely see their usage rate increase as well, according to Vardon. Cleveland’s “next man up” mentality will certainly be in full effect.
Like the Cavs, the Bulls will be shorthanded for Saturday’s game. Lauri Markkanen (back), Zach LaVine (knee), and Kris Dunn (toe) have all been ruled out.
Saturday night’s game between the Cavs and Bulls is scheduled to tip inside the United Center at 8:00 p.m. EST with FOX Sports Ohio having live broadcast coverage.