2 min read • March 30, 2022
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The Cavaliers announced on Wednesday that star rookie Evan Mobley will miss the next 3 games with his sprained left ankle, leaving him on the bench through their April 2 game against the Knicks.
The ProBasketballDocs believe that Mobley, who is currently a -330 favorite to win Rookie of The Year on FanDuel Sportsbook, will likely miss the rest of the regular season, as the normal recovery time for a lateral inversion ankle sprain is around 2-and-a-half weeks.
Mobley's end-of-season absence will not only drop the Cavaliers into the play-in tournament, but it opens the door for Toronto's Scottie Barnes (+280) and Detroit's Cade Cunningham (+1000) to make a finishing flair in the ROY race.
Mobley made his presence known early and often this season, helping lead the Cavs to a top-4 seed over the first half while showing versatility and uncommon court presence as a playoff cornerstone. Over the last 19 games, however, the Cavs have gone 7-12, while Barnes and Cunningham have taken their game up a level as the offensive centerpieces of their teams.
Barnes' case rests on his defensive prowess, offensive versatility, and the Raptors' rise in the ranks, as they have gone 9-2 over their last 11 while moving into the No. 6 seed.
Since the all-star break, the Florida State product is averaging 17.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals on 53.3% shooting while often guarding the other team's top perimeter option. Helping his potential is the Raptors' schedule, which projects as the 5th-easiest closing schedule, according to Tankathon, while the Cavaliers have the 12-hardest final slate.
The No. 1 overall pick, who has made his desire to win the award known in recent days, is averaging 22.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.7 assists on 47.6% shooting and nearly 36 minutes per game over his last 15.
The Pistons' 20-56 record, tied for the worst in the league, and lack of primetime games certainly don't help Cunningham, but the combination of his elite production as of late and his status as the top pick both give him an opportunity to make a late push.
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