On Sunday afternoon, the Cleveland Cavs fell back down to Earth with a tough road loss against the shorthanded Oklahoma City Thunder. The Cavs fell down by as many as 23 points in this one and ultimately came back to tie the game, before faltering down the stretch and losing.
It was a rough game for power forward Evan Mobley, who scored 15 points and grabbed just two rebounds in the loss.
After the game, Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson spoke on the struggles of both Mobley and frontcourt mate Jarrett Allen, who didn’t exactly distinguish himself in his own right with his performance against the Thunder.
“They were fine. They didn’t have stellar games,” Atkinson said, per Anthony Farris of Sports Illustrated. “I think Evan is still trying to get his footing after the injury (he missed nearly a month with a calf injury and returned to the court for the first time Thursday).”
Indeed, Mobley has been dealing with various injuries all year for the Cavs, and has not quite looked like himself when he’s been on the court.
The former lottery pick has yet to take the star leap that many fans have projected upon him over the last few seasons, although he remains an elite defender and capable offensive player, and a key part of what the Cavs are trying to do on both ends of the floor.
Atkinson also spoke on how the games have been piling up for the Cavs since the All-Star break.
“This is a tough schedule. …. I’m proud of the way the guys fought back and gave us a chance.”
Despite Sunday’s loss, things have gone quite well for the Cavs since James Harden was brought in via a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, and Cleveland has a legit chance to get as high as the number two seed in the East before all is said and done.