The Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking to improve to 18-2 when they face the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Cup on Friday afternoon. But, the Cavs could be without a key role player for the fifth game in a row.
Caris LeVert is listed as questionable here due to knee inflammation, per the NBA’s Injury Report. However, this is a step in the right direction. LeVert has been strictly ruled out over the last couple of games. The questionable tag gives a glimmer of hope that he’s not far off a return.
The 30-year-old is an important second-unit piece for the surging Cavs. He’s averaging 11.8 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per night while shooting an impressive 45.8% from three-point land. LeVert is playing 24.4 minutes per game.
Cleveland is looking like a legitimate title contender early on. While they did lose to the Hawks on Wednesday evening, the Cavs are 8-2 in their last 10 and sitting 1.5 games ahead of the Boston Celtics in first place in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavs will be without a couple of other players on Friday in the In-Season Tournament, too. Max Strus (ankle) and Dean Wade (ankle) won’t suit up in Atlanta.
If LeVert is able to take the floor, it would definitely provide Kenny Atkinson’s bench with a boost. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 30 points in Wednesday’s defeat, while Evan Mobley added 22 points and 12 rebounds.
The Cavs need a win in the NBA Cup, sitting at just 1-1 in group play so far. Aside from getting revenge against the Hawks, it’s an important game to stay alive in the tourney.
Cleveland will need to find a way to slow down Trae Young, who was dropping dimes on Wednesday. He dished out a whopping 22 assists, having his way with a Cavs defense that is typically very solid.
Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 PM ET.
