Cavaliers Lose Mobley, Garland, Hunter for Game 2 vs Pacers

The Cleveland Cavaliers face a critical challenge in their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers, as key players Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and De'Andre Hunter are sidelined for Game 2 due to injuries sustained in Game 1. Mobley, the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, sprained his ankle, Hunter dislocated his thumb, and Garland continues to miss games with a sprained left big toe, leaving the team shorthanded and trailing 1-0 in the series. Head coach Kenny Atkinson expressed frustration over what he described as excessive physical contact leading to these injuries and criticized the lack of foul calls on the plays, emphasizing the need for the team's best players to be protected during the playoffs. In response, Dean Wade and Ty Jerome have been inserted into the starting lineup to fill the void, with Jerome notably leading all NBA reserves in scoring and assists this postseason. The Cavaliers face the prospect of losing their first two home playoff games since 1996, making the management of injuries and strategic adjustments vital as they attempt to even the series against Indiana. This situation highlights broader concerns about player safety and the physicality of playoff basketball.