Cavs forward Evan Mobley out with left calf strain to be reevaluated in 1-3 weeks
Following Monday’s 114-98 win over the Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley was diagnosed with a left calf strain that will be reevaluated in 1-3 weeks, according to senior NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Mobley finished the game with 20 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in 35 minutes. It was the Cavs’ fourth straight win and sixth in their last seven games. Now, Cleveland faces a crucial period without its young All-Star and reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
Announcement
On Monday night, along with the team’s 28th win of the season, Mobley also entered the Cavs’ record books. Mobley blocked the 500th shot of his career against the Magic, becoming just the fifth player in Cavaliers history to reach that milestone. He also became the youngest player to reach that number in franchise history.
Former Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas holds the franchise record with 1,269 blocks during his 12 seasons in Cleveland. Mobley reached 500 blocks in less than five full NBA seasons. His career average for blocks per game is already tied with Ilgauskas at 1.6. Barring multiple lengthy stints on the injured list, that record will likely belong to Mobley should he remain in Cleveland for the majority of his career.
The Cavs are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, a very different result than the team experienced last season. Last season, the Cavs led the league for much of the year, finishing 64-18 and earning the No. 1 seed. We’re just past the halfway mark of this season (in terms of games played), and Cleveland already has more losses than all of last year, at 28-20.
Announcement
So, even a couple of weeks without one of their best players and best defender could prove detrimental to their playoff hopes. In 42 games this season, Mobley averaged 17.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks per game.