Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley is set to be sidelined for approximately two to four weeks due to a left calf strain, the franchise announced on Saturday. Mobley sustained the injury during a thrilling 130-126 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night but managed to complete the game. An MRI confirmed the diagnosis of a Grade 1 calf strain.
In that game, Mobley showcased his talent by contributing 23 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists over 36 minutes, with a shooting percentage of 41.2% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range.
This injury comes as a surprise, as the 24-year-old has not faced significant injury problems recently, participating in at least 70 games in two of the last three seasons. Before this calf strain, he had played in 25 of the Cavaliers’ 26 games this season. However, it’s important to highlight that Mobley faced a setback during the 2023-24 season, playing only 50 games after undergoing surgery on his left knee.
Despite this, Mobley bounced back impressively, earning his first All-Star selection and later winning the Defensive Player of the Year award. This season, he is averaging 19.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game, while shooting efficiently at 49.6% from the field and 35.2% from beyond the arc. Mobley has been a formidable presence on defense, with an impressive average of 10.6 contested shots per game, placing him fifth in the league.
As the Cavaliers seek to build consistency after finishing last season with a remarkable 64-18 record, they currently find themselves in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, holding a 15-11 record. Mobley’s absence will undoubtedly challenge the team, but with his strong performance thus far this season, there is hope for his swift recovery and return to the court.