Evan Mobley of Cavaliers left game due to ankle injury, ruling him out of shorthanded victory over Celtics

In the absence of star Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers are grappling with a growing list of injuries. During Tuesday’s game against the Boston Celtics, third-year player Evan Mobley suffered an injury in the third quarter. Despite Mobley’s exit due to a left ankle sprain, the Cavaliers managed to stage a comeback from a 22-point deficit, securing a narrow 105-104 victory.

Mobley’s injury occurred after a dunk, landing awkwardly and immediately clutching his lower leg. Following an attempt to jog back down the court, he headed to the bench when the play was interrupted by a foul. Subsequently, he limped to the locker room with a trainer, ruling him out for the remainder of the game. Max Strus was already sidelined before the match due to a right knee strain.

In the game, the 22-year-old contributed four points, six rebounds, and four assists in 22 minutes. The Cavaliers, positioned third in the Western Conference, have faced challenges this season. Mobley, who recently returned to full minutes after missing 19 games due to left knee surgery in December, encountered a memorable crossover against the New York Knicks on Sunday.

Donovan Mitchell has been sidelined with a bone bruise in his left knee since the team’s double-overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 28. While there’s a possibility of his return on March 10 against the Brooklyn Nets, the Cavaliers are set to face the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday and the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday without him.