In a tough blow to their playoff hopes, the Cleveland Cavaliers have officially ruled out Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and De’Andre Hunter for Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers, the team announced earlier today. The trio’s absence significantly alters the landscape of this first-round series, putting Cleveland at a major disadvantage as they try to even things up after a hard-fought Game 1 loss.
Evan Mobley, Cleveland’s versatile big man, is dealing with a left ankle sprain that has been nagging him since the regular season. His length, defensive instincts, and ability to guard multiple positions are vital to the Cavs’ interior presence. Without him, Indiana’s frontcourt—particularly Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam—will have a much easier time attacking the paint and crashing the boards. Mobley’s absence also puts additional pressure on Jarrett Allen, who will now shoulder an even heavier defensive load while trying to avoid foul trouble.
Darius Garland, the team’s floor general and second-leading scorer behind Donovan Mitchell, is out with a lingering back issue that reportedly worsened during Game 1. Garland’s ability to control tempo, hit timely threes, and distribute the ball is a central part of Cleveland’s offense. Without him, ball-handling responsibilities fall more heavily on Mitchell and backup guard Caris LeVert, both of whom will need to increase their production. Garland’s chemistry with Mobley in the pick-and-roll has been a key part of the Cavs’ success over the past two seasons, and its absence will likely be felt on both ends of the floor.
Adding to Cleveland’s injury woes is the absence of De’Andre Hunter, who was acquired mid-season to bring veteran experience, defense, and shooting depth to the wing. Hunter has been a strong 3-and-D presence, often tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer. His defensive versatility would have been crucial in slowing down Indiana’s rising star Tyrese Haliburton and scoring guard Bennedict Mathurin. Without Hunter, the Cavs’ perimeter defense will be tested heavily, and role players like Isaac Okoro and Max Strus will need to step up big-time.
The Pacers, coming off a strong Game 1 performance, now have a golden opportunity to take full control of the series. Their up-tempo style and balanced scoring attack are already difficult to deal with, and facing a depleted Cavaliers lineup makes the task even more challenging for head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s squad.
Still, Cleveland will have to lean on its remaining stars, particularly Mitchell, who may need to put up a heroic effort to keep Game 2 competitive. The team’s depth will be tested, and contributions from the bench—like Sam Merrill or Georges Niang—could be crucial.
With three key players sidelined, Game 2 could define the Cavaliers’ playoff fate. If they manage to rally and steal a win, it could be a momentum-shifting moment. But if they fall behind 0–2 heading to Indiana, the road ahead gets dramatically steeper.
