Cavaliers Face Injuries Ahead of Key Game Against Raptors

CLEVELAND, Ohio — As the All-Star Break approaches, the Cleveland Cavaliers are navigating a challenging situation with injuries while maintaining their status as one of the top teams in the NBA. The Cavaliers are set to face the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, but they will do so without two players already ruled out and with two more key rotation players considered questionable.

Guard Ty Jerome is battling right calf soreness, putting his participation in jeopardy for the matchup against Toronto. This season, Jerome has contributed significantly to the Cavaliers’ success, averaging 11.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 51.6% from the field and 42.7% from beyond the arc. In a recent game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he recorded 15 points and posted a +14 plus-minus rating.

If Jerome cannot play, it may open the door for Craig Porter Jr. to step into a more prominent role, as he has shown solid performance in previous opportunities. Meanwhile, Max Strus, another key contributor, is also listed as questionable due to right ankle soreness. Strus missed the last game with this injury, forcing Cavalier newcomer De'Andre Hunter to start in his absence.

Strus’ potential absence would likely lead Hunter to start again. The Cavaliers are also missing Isaac Okoro (shoulder) and Dean Wade (knee), who remain sidelined due to injuries. Given the importance of the upcoming playoff push, it may be prudent for the Cavaliers to give both Jerome and Strus additional rest to ensure they are fully healthy for the postseason.

Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers’ star guard, has seen his MVP candidacy gain momentum, even though his scoring stats do not rank among the top candidates this season. NBA.com currently ranks him sixth in the MVP race, just behind names like Karl-Anthony Towns, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Mitchell’s position is one of the highest he has been given in MVP discussions this season, as he enters the All-Star Break. Since the start of January, he has showcased the scoring prowess that fans became accustomed to during his time in Utah, averaging 24.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.

The Cavaliers, boasting a 14-6 record during this period, have rallied around Mitchell’s performance, including eight games where he scored over 30 points. His continued excellence will be crucial as the Cavaliers head into the latter part of the regular season, where sustained success combined with elite scoring may propel him further up the MVP ladder.