The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to face off against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night in a key Eastern Conference showdown. The Cavaliers come into the game with a record of 24-20, looking to bounce back after a recent home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. In that game, Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 19 points, along with four rebounds and three assists, while teammate Jaylon Tyson contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds.
On the opposing side, the Hornets are struggling this season with a 16-27 record but are coming off a surprising victory against the Denver Nuggets last Sunday. Brandon Miller shone in that game, scoring 23 points and grabbing four rebounds, and Ryan Kalkbrenner added 17 points and six rebounds off the bench.
Despite the anticipation surrounding the matchup, both teams may be impacted by injuries. The Cavaliers will be without Darius Garland, who is sidelined with a right toe sprain, marking his third consecutive game missed. Sam Merrill is also out due to a right hand sprain, while Max Strus continues to recover from left foot surgery. In their absence, Tyson and Craig Porter Jr. could see increased playing time.
The Hornets are also dealing with injury concerns; however, forward Tidjane Salaun is expected to play as he’s listed as probable due to left Achilles tendinopathy. KJ Simpson is ruled out due to a left hip flexor strain, and Mason Plumlee remains unavailable while recovering from right groin surgery.
The matchup between the Cavaliers and Hornets is set for 7:00 p.m. EST and can be viewed live on ESPN. Both teams will be eager to secure a win as they strive to improve their standings in the Eastern Conference. Fans are hopeful that Cleveland can rally together in light of their injuries, while the Hornets look to build on their recent success against the Nuggets.