Per the NBA’s official injury report, Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Rodney Hood is listed as “doubtful” against the Washington Wizards after suffering a right toe sprain against the Sacramento Kings on Friday. Hood only played 15 minutes against the Kings, tallying four points (1-3 shooting from the field) and one assist before exiting the game in the second quarter.
He wouldn’t return after halftime.
Hood has been a solid contributor for the Cavs this season, averaging 12.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.8 steals in 28.5 minutes per game while shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 37.0 percent from three-point range. However, the fifth-year swingman has hit a shooting slump in his last five game, averaging 10.2 points per game while shooting 37.2 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from three-point range.
A lanky wing with a streaky jump shot, Hood has been one of Cleveland’s most intelligent playmakers and has been a consistent communicator on the defensive end. Though he’s not an elite athlete or shot-creator, the 26-year-old has been doing a better job of using his length and his jumper to be a two-way player.
In fact, so far this season, the Cavs have a offensive rating of 112.8 when he’s on the court and 105.8 when he’s off of it. Their defensive rating improves when he’s off the court, from a 121. 7 to a 118.5. However, the Cavs are still 3.5 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court.
If Hood is out, there will be an uptick in minutes and possibly a starting role for shooting guard Alec Burks. Burks, who has averaged 14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 28.0 minutes per game since being traded to Cleveland, had a near triple-double against the Kings with 22 points (8-14 shooting from the field, 3-6 from three-point range), nine assists and seven rebounds in 38 minutes.
With his latest performance, the aggressive playmaker has tallied at least 13 points in four of the five games he’s played with the Cavs.
*All stats gathered from Basketball Reference
