How long is Evan Mobley absent? Injury timeline, return date, latest updates on rookie Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are struggling with early-season injuries.

On November 8, The group announced that starting defender Collin Sexton will be out indefinitely with a left meniscus tear. Just eight days later, the Cavaliers announced that they would be missing star rookie Evan Mobley, who will be sidelined for several weeks with a sprained right elbow.

When did the star rookie get injured, how long is he expected to be sidelined and how does this affect the Rookie of the Year race?

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How long will Evan Mobley be sidelined?

According to the Cavaliers, Mobley will be out for two to four weeks following a sprained right elbow injury.

Mobley leaves Cleveland’s loss to the Celtics on Monday, November 15 in the third quarter. The number 3 player overall spent the night, scoring only one point from a shot from the field, and he never returned after entering the dressing room.

This comes as a blow to the already flawed Cavaliers team, as other bigwigs like Jarrett Allen (non-COVID disease), Kevin Love (health and safety protocol) and Lauri Markkanen (health protocol). healthy and safe) have been released recently. While it looks like love can be the first to come back right after Wednesday, November 15 against the Nets, Allen and Markkanen are still sidelined for the time being.

Cleveland will need its reserves to fill the holes of its depleted front lines, with Cedi Osman, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade and Tacko Fall all set to take on larger roles in lieu of absences. main.

How will Evan Mobley’s injury affect the Rookie of the Year race?

Mobley has played at #3 overall so far in the season, averaging 14.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 tackles and 1.0 steals per game in with a 49.4% shot from the field. According to NBA Statistics, when the star rookie hit the floor, the Cavaliers boasted the second-best defense in the NBA when holding the opponent to 99.6 points / 100 possessions, just behind the Warriors.

Mobley has started in all 15 games he has played, building a strong case for Rookie of the Year, vying for the top spot with Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes, among others, from very soon.

Had Mobley landed in the shorter of his injury time, he would have missed about six games, which would barely affect his chances of winning the prize. Should he finish for the longer part of his injury time, Mobley could miss about 14 games, which could put him back a bit in the Rookie of the Year race.

With Barnes showing no signs of slowing down and other factors such as general No 1 picker Cade Cunningham starting to find his way, Mobley could feel some pressure to continue right where he is. stopped to stay in conversation. However, if he continues to perform at the same level before his injury, an absence of around 14 games may not affect his chances of winning the award. that much.

Remember, LaMelo Ball still won Rookie of the Year last season and he missed 21 games with an ankle injury during a crucial period of the season.