Cleveland Cavaliers: Caris LeVert is questionable for Game 5 vs. Boston Celtics
LeVert joins Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen on the ever-growing injury report.
The Cleveland Cavaliers could be down to one available ball-handling guard in Game 5 vs. the Boston Celtics. Caris LeVert is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game due to a left knee bone bruise.
LeVert, Donovan Mitchell (ruled out for Game 5), and Jarrett Allen were not present for shootaround on Wednesday morning when media members were initially let in. LeVert and Mitchell came out later sometime later. Allen (rib contusion) is still officially questionable which has been his designation since Game 5 of the first round.
Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert later came out to the court while their teammates were shooting. Mitchell is questionable with a calf strain, and LeVert with a bone bruise in his knee. https://t.co/RLILm8t1zz
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) May 15, 2024
LeVert averaged 14 points and 5.1 assists on 42.1% shooting from the floor in the regular season. His production has decreased in the playoffs as he’s averaging 10.1 points and 2.3 assists on .431/.182/.654 shooting splits in 11 games. He contributed 19 points on 9-18 shooting with three assists and two steals in the loss on Monday.
The Cavs have numerous guys trying to play through injuries now that aren’t on the injury report. Dean Wade is on a minutes restriction and is dealing with “a couple tears here and there” in his knee. Evan Mobley missed most of the third quarter in Game 3 with an ankle injury. This has left the Cavs a shell of their former self against a team they aren’t as talented as even when fully healthy.
“It sucks that we’re not 100% right now,” LeVert said after Game 4. “Obviously your mind goes to that, but I think it’s important to stay present right now and kind of be where are feet are.”
Cleveland doesn’t have many ballhandling guards if LeVert isn’t able to play on Wednesday. This would likely put Dean Wade or Marcus Morris into the starting lineup with Sam Merrill as the only guard coming off the bench. Craig Porter Jr. has been upgraded from out to doubtful with a left ankle sprain. There’s an outside chance he’s able to go on Wednesday
Darius Garland was forced to step up in Game 4 and he did. His burden will be increased exponentially if he’s the only true on-ball creator in the starting lineup on Wednesday. Cleveland will likely need an A+ game from him just to stay competitive.