Cavaliers Face Player Injuries Ahead of Game 2 vs. Pacers

The Cleveland Cavaliers lost Game 1 of their playoff series against the Indiana Pacers 121-112, surrendering both the game and home-court advantage. The Cavs struggled in the absence of point guard Darius Garland, who is questionable for Game 2 due to a toe injury, while key contributors Evan Mobley (ankle) and De'Andre Hunter (dislocated thumb) also face uncertain statuses after sustaining injuries during the opener. Mobley, the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, and Hunter, a strong two-way player, both played significant minutes in Game 1 but may miss crucial time, raising concerns about Cleveland's depth and strategy. Meanwhile, Indiana's Andrew Nembhard was instrumental in the Pacers' win, scoring 23 points on 5-of-6 three-point shooting and providing strong defensive pressure on Cleveland's ballhandlers. Head coach Kenny Atkinson has been criticized for not maximizing Hunter's impact by keeping him in a reserve role, despite his positive performance metrics. The Cavaliers' ability to adjust rotations and recover from injuries will be pivotal as they attempt to rebound in Game 2.