The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the best teams in the NBA this year. Their biggest concern moving forward might not be their opponents but injuries. Star guard Darius Garland missed Game 1, and his absence was noticed. Heading into Game 2, there were questions about whether Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and key bench player De’Andre Hunter would be able to play. As tip-off approached, reports came down that all three players would miss a critical Game 2 against the Pacers.
Cleveland Cavaliers Down 3 Key Players In Game 2
Cleveland Cavaliers Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and De’Andre Hunter are all out tonight in Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers due to injuries.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 6, 2025
The Cleveland Cavaliers will rely heavily on Donovan Mitchell in Game 2 against the Pacers. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported all three will miss tonight’s game. Garland is still dealing with a toe injury that could keep him out for a week or two. Mobley is dealing with an ankle issue, while Hunter has a thumb injury. Despite the high stakes, the team decided it wasn’t worth them suiting up.
This is a huge blow for a team down 1-0 in the series already. The Indiana Pacers are fully healthy and will not have to deal with the interior defense of Mobley in Game 2. Furthermore, the bench unit just got smaller with Ty Jerome and other key reserve players being thrust into larger roles. Mitchell and Jarrett Allen will likely be the focal points of the offense, and hopefully, role players like Max Strus can get hot from deep.
Final Thoughts
The pressure is rising on the Cleveland Cavaliers. It is worth noting that there is also pressure on the Pacers. They have a golden chance to go up 2-0 as the series heads back to Indiana. Coach of the year Kenny Atkinson will have his hands full in Game 2 as he makes the adjustments for the injuries.
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