2 min read • March 29, 2022
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Cavaliers' star rookie big man Evan Mobley missed the second half of Monday's win over the Magic after suffering a left ankle sprain.
The X-rays on his ailing ankle were negative, according to reports, and further tests will determine the severity of the sprain.
Based on video, Mobley appears to have suffered a lateral inversion sprain in his left ankle, a classic basketball injury. The typical recovery for that kind of injury is about two-and-a-half weeks.
That will likely keep the No. 2 overall pick out for the rest of the regular season, but the ProBasketballDocs expect him to be available for the start of the playoffs.
Mobley went down after suffering the sprain after landing on Franz Wagner's foot with 5:11 left in the 2nd quarter before walking into the locker room under his own power. The team ruled him out shortly afterwards.
This is Mobley's first documented ankle sprain, meaning that there could potentially be excess damage to the ligaments and tendons and he will need to manage the swelling as the damage sets in.
While he will likely be available for the start of the playoffs, he won't be 100% and may struggle on the defensive end.
The 20-year-old has missed 8 games this season, all in November and December, with an elbow injury, hip injury, and a bout with COVID-19, and the Cavaliers are 3-5 without him.
He has slid into the center position without all-star Jarrett Allen, who is recovering from a broken left middle finger that will hopefully be healed by the beginning of the playoffs next month.
Mobley, the No. 3 overall pick in 2021, is averaging 14.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 56 games coming into tonight.
With Mobley out, 7-foot wing Lauri Markkanen and veteran Kevin Love will see increased playing time. Dean Wade, a depth big man for the Cavaliers, is expected to be out for the rest of the regular season after undergoing surgery to repair his left meniscus.
Cleveland, 42-33, is 7-11 since Feb. 12 and 5-6 without Allen, dropping the Cavs to the No. 7 seed and a likely bout with the Nets in the play-in game.
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