Cavaliers confront injury woes as they plummet in NBA power rankings
The Cleveland Cavaliers are navigating a turbulent season, grappling with a series of injuries that have left their roster depleted and their performance inconsistent. With a record of 12-9, the Cavaliers find themselves languishing at No. 15 in the latest NBA power rankings, a significant drop of five spots from the previous week. This steep decline has been attributed largely to their ongoing health crisis.
Injuries take their toll
The impact of injuries on the Cavaliers has been profound. As noted by NBA analyst John Schuhmann, the team has struggled to maintain its core lineup. “The Cavs can’t get or stay healthy, and they’ve lost three straight games, sliding out of the top six in the Eastern Conference,” Schuhmann commented. Their recent loss to the Boston Celtics marked the beginning of a grueling stretch: five games in seven days, which exacerbates their challenges, particularly with an upcoming matchup against the Indiana Pacers where they will face a significant rest disadvantage.
Center rotation in disarray
In particular, the Cavaliers’ center rotation has taken a hit, rendering them vulnerable to opposing teams who are keen to exploit this weakness. Jarrett Allen, who returned briefly, is once again sidelined with a lingering finger injury sustained earlier in the season. Larry Nance Jr. is also unavailable, and Thomas Bryant’s contributions have been minimal, forcing Evan Mobley to shoulder the defensive burden in the paint. Schuhmann highlighted this issue, stating, “The Cavs have seen the league’s seventh-biggest jump from last season in the percentage of their opponents’ shots that have come in the paint.”
Defensive struggles have been evident, especially during their current losing streak. Over these three games, opposing teams have shot an alarming 69% from inside the arc, hitting 77 of 112 attempts. This stark statistic underscores the Cavaliers’ pressing need for a healthy roster to compete effectively.
Mobley’s challenges without Mitchell
Evan Mobley has stepped up in the absence of key players, showcasing his potential with impressive performances, including a standout game against the Celtics where he recorded 27 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists. However, the overall offensive output has suffered. The Cavaliers have managed to score only 108.0 points per 100 possessions during the 160 minutes Mobley has played without Donovan Mitchell. While Mobley’s usage rate has seen a modest increase, his shooting efficiency has dipped, with his true shooting percentage falling from 63.3% to 58.0%. Additionally, despite an uptick in his free-throw rate, he has struggled at the charity stripe, converting just 61% of his attempts.
Looking ahead
As the Cavaliers continue to deal with these setbacks, they must remain resilient. The long season offers ample opportunity to recover and improve their standing in the Eastern Conference. Following their recent road victory against the Indiana Pacers, the Cavaliers will now shift their focus to three consecutive home games against the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Golden State Warriors. Each matchup presents a vital chance for the team to regain momentum and solidify their place in the playoff race.
