TITLE: Cavaliers enter Oklahoma City rematch with near-clean bill of health
SLUG: cavaliers-enter-okc-rematch-near-clean-bill-of-health
CONTENT:
The Cleveland Cavaliers will arrive in Oklahoma City on Sunday looking healthier than they have in weeks, while the Thunder prepare to play without several key contributors.
Tipoff at Paycom Center is set for 1 p.m. EST. Cleveland lists only guard Max Strus (foot) as out. Forward Evan Mobley, who sat out Friday for rest, is expected to be available, giving head coach J.B. Bickerstaff his most complete rotation in recent memory.
The Thunder’s injury report tells a different story. All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains sidelined by an abdominal strain and will not be re-evaluated until next week. Fellow starter Jalen Williams is dealing with a hamstring issue, while Alex Caruso and rookie Ajay Mitchell are also unavailable, leaving Oklahoma City without its top two scorers and a significantly thinned bench.
Despite the absences, Oklahoma City still boasts a strong defensive core. Centers Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein anchor the paint, and perimeter stoppers Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace will be tasked with slowing down Donovan Mitchell. Dort has frustrated Mitchell in recent meetings, adding intrigue to Sunday’s matchup.
Offensively, the Thunder will rely on rookie guard Jared McCain to spark a shorthanded attack that lacks its usual shot-creation options. Cleveland, meanwhile, carries a seven-game winning streak into the contest and hopes the healthier roster can keep that momentum intact.
Source: Hoops Wire
