The Cleveland Cavaliers’ frontcourt just got a lot thinner. Already slim down low with the absence of Kevin Love, the Cavs are expected to endure two weeks of action minus starting center Tristan Thompson because of an ankle problem. This is according to a report by Jason Lloyd of The Athletic.
Thompson last saw action on Saturday, during a 126-117 home loss at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. Thompson sprained his ankle in that game in which he also scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 28 minutes of action. His absence hits the Cavs hard, particularly on defense. Although he is not a great rim protector, Thompson provides Cleveland someone it could throw at opposing big men. Thompson is also one of the team’s top rebounder, one who averages 6.5 rebounds to go with 6.3 points per game.
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With Thompson out, Larry Nance Jr. should see an increased amount of playing time for the next several games. Nance took over the starting center role on Monday in a home game against the Detroit Pistons, and the Cavs definitely must have liked what they saw from him.
Matched up against the beefy pair of Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin, Nance managed to flourish, scoring 22 points and pulling down 15 rebounds in 32 minutes on the floor to help Cleveland eke out a dominant 112-90 victory.
Apart from Nance, seldom-used biggie Ante Zizic is also in line for more playing time. Zizic, who is averaging just 3.0 minutes per game, played 16 minutes against Detroit and recorded six points and six rebounds.
If Tristan Thompson would indeed return after two weeks, then he should make his comeback likely in a Cavs game against the Milwaukee Bucks at home on Mar. 19.