The Cleveland Cavaliers have the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference, and that’s with two of their best players sidelined for quite a while.
Evan Mobley has been on the shelf with an injured knee, and Darius Garland suffered a broken jaw shortly after.
Recently, talking on FanDuel’s “Run It Back,” Shams Charania of The Athletic revealed that Mobley’s return timeline continues to be indefinite.
However, it seems like Garland could be back on the floor in the next couple of weeks, as he’s started doing on-court work already.
"[Darius Garland] is starting on court work, I think the hope within the Cavs is that within the next few weeks, he's able to make a return."@ShamsCharania updates on DG and Evan Mobley's injuries.
📺: https://t.co/wdT8I0ST8g pic.twitter.com/DTiJ5HhHA2
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 18, 2024
Charania stated that the Cavs need to give Garland and Donovan Mitchell more reps in the backcourt together, as the team continues to be convinced of the fact that they can play and feed off each other, similar to what happens with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the Dallas Mavericks.
The Cavaliers have been shockingly good despite these injuries, with Mitchell and Jarrett Allen both playing at an All-Star level.
Needless to say, the return of their stars should only raise their ceiling.
There have been several rumors about Mitchell’s future with the organization, but the team has no intention whatsoever to trade him right now, not even if he has failed to commit to signing a contract extension.
Also, having the fourth-best record in the conference despite being down two starters should be all the proof he needs to realize that this team could compete at the highest level and for the ultimate prize if he stays for the long run.
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