During the third quarter of Friday night’s 116-102 loss to the L.A. Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman suffered what was believed to be a left hip strain. Osman, who was starting in the second half as a result of an injury that Rodney Hood sustained earlier in the game, was unable to return to play.
Cedi Osman is another #Cavs player now done for the night with a strained left hip.
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 10, 2018
Osman, now 22 years of age, played just 11 minutes in Friday’s loss, scoring three points with one steal. The Macedonian-born star gave reporters an update on his status during his post-game media availability.
“I tried to run and then I heard a pop from my groin,” Osman told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin after Friday’s game in Los Angeles. “This is the second time it happened, actually … I felt pain and I couldn’t run … Right now, when I’m walking and when I try to lift my leg up I feel pain”
Cavs superstar LeBron James posted 25 points and 10 rebounds in Friday’s loss. Jordan Clarkson added 21 points for Cleveland, whose five-game road winning streak came to an end. Larry Nance Jr. had 16 points and 12 rebounds in a matchup against DeAndre Jordan.
With Osman and Hood out of commission for an undisclosed period of time, players like J.R. Smith, George Hill, Clarkson, Kyle Korver, or even two-way guard John Holland, who’s traveling with the team for their six-game road trip, could see their usage rate increase.
Unfortunately, the @cavs are a little more banged up after tonight's loss. pic.twitter.com/CjWEPibhAR
— FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) March 10, 2018
The Cavs — currently the 3rd-ranked team in the Eastern Conference standings with a 38-27 overall record — will be back in action on Sunday, as they’re scheduled to face the Los Angeles Lakers right back inside the Staples Center. Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. EST with ESPN having live broadcast coverage.