INDIANAPOLIS — The three banged-up Cavaliers players who returned to action and aided a 126-104 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals are not listed on the Saturday, May 10, injury report ahead of Game 4 on Sunday, May 11.
It’s the Cavs’ way of indicating All-Star forward Evan Mobley (sprained left ankle), All-Star point guard Darius Garland (sprained left big toe) and wing De’Andre Hunter (sprained right shooting thumb) are all expected to play again. Until about a half hour before Game 3, they were listed as questionable.
“We were all just checking in on each other to see how everyone’s rehab is going and what it’s trending towards,” Mobley said May 9 after the Cavs trimmed their deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-seven, second-round playoff series. “I feel like the whole team really just had our backs and knew what we were going through.
“It’s just a part of the playoffs. Guys get injured, and you’ve got to try to get back as soon as possible. And today was the day, and I feel like it was a good time to come back.”
The Cavs held an optional practice Saturday, May 10, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Forwards Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro were the only regular members of the rotation who participated.
Considering Mobley, Garland and Hunter made it through Game 3, it’s not surprising they are expected to play in Game 4. Still, their absence from the injury report on the eve of Game 4 confirms no significant setbacks occurred.
As expected, Mobley, Garland and Hunter participated in shootaround prior to Game 4 on the morning of May 11 in Indy.
Here’s what those three key players did in Game 3:
Evan Mobley returns from ankle injury to help Cavs beat Pacers in Game 3
After suffering a sprained ankle May 4 in Game 1 and sitting out Game 2 on May 6, Mobley started Game 3 and scored 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the floor, including 1 of 3 on 3-pointers. He collected 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocked shots in 35 minutes. He played at the front of a 3-2 defense the Cavs deployed in the second quarter, a change from their typical 2-3 zone, and dominated in a way one would expect from the 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, provided he’s able to move well enough while enduring an injury.
“It was very impressive,” Wade said. “He wants to be out there, he wants to fight and compete with everyone. So I know he missed that one game, [and it] was tough for him, but he is going to come out and compete.
“When I saw him moving yesterday, I was like, ‘Man, this is impressive.’ I saw how hard he was working those days in between games and his rehab and everything, so it was very impressive. But as hard as he works on the court and in the weight room is the same amount of hard work he puts in when he gets hurt, gets treatment and rehab. So I wasn’t overly surprised to see him back as soon as he was because he was in there every day working all the time.”
Mobley said he couldn’t put pressure on his left leg and donned a walking boot the day after Game 1.
Determination assisted Mobley’s quick comeback, and Cavs center Tristan Thompson has seen ample evidence of it behind the scenes.
“I think with him getting that Defensive Player of the Year, I think it’s kind of like give him the extra motivation to go for what’s next,” Thompson said. “I’ve been saying from day one he’s got that KG [Kevin Garnett], AD [Anthony Davis] type of special unicorn talent in this league, and I think he’s understanding that he’s one of the guys. He’s going to be one of the next great bigs in our league, and I think he’s taking a lot of pride to that. And you can see that with his dedication and being locked in ready to go.”
Cavs point guard Darius Garland returns from toe injury vs. Pacers
Garland missed four consecutive playoff games with a sprained big toe he suffered in the regular season and aggravated April 23 in Game 2 of a first-round sweep against the Miami Heat. He started Game 3 against the Pacers and scored 10 points on 3-of-11 shooting, including 2 of 7 on 3-pointers. He tallied three assists and one rebound in 25 minutes. He picked up three fouls in the first quarter and bloodied his left knee about midway through the third quarter. However, he returned to start the fourth quarter, when he scored five points with a 3-pointer and two successful free throws. His presence alone took pressure off All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell because the Cavs had another ball handler who could set up their offense. Mitchell, who has been playing through a calf strain without being listed on the injury report, scored a game-high 43 points.
“It’s the playoffs. Everyone’s got to push through,” Thompson said. “I know DG better than anyone else. I know how much he wants this. I know how hungry he’s been since last summer until now. So you’ve got to push through it. Everyone’s hurt. Everyone’s banged up. No one’s 100%. You’ve just got to push through that s*** and take advantage of those days off. Get in that recovery, get in that treatment to build back the bank and then you go do your withdrawal when you get in the game.”
Garland did as much conditioning as possible to stay ready while idle, but he conceded “nothing really describes a game like that in the playoff atmosphere.” Due to the nature of his injury, his workouts were mostly limited to a VersaClimber, biking and jogging on anti-gravity and underwater treadmills.
“Y’all don’t understand what I’m going through,” Garland said. “I mean, everybody had their opinion [about whether I could have played earlier]. Going out there and playing basketball, everybody has nicks and bruises around this time, so [I’m] going out there to win this series.”
Cavaliers wing De’Andre Hunter returns from thumb injury in playoffs
Like Mobley, Hunter missed Game 2 after suffering an injury in Game 1. His right shooting thumb dislocated on a hard fall. In Game 3, Hunter didn’t wear any type of equipment on his injured hand. He came off the bench for the first time with 7:11 left in the first quarter and scored eight points on 2-of-6 shooting from the field, including 1 of 5 on 3s. He also grabbed five rebounds and logged 21 minutes.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
