Cavs clinging to health and hope as injuries cloud crucial Game 3 showdown

Mobley and Hunter, meanwhile, both suffered injuries during the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s Game 1 loss in Cleveland. Mobley rolled his left ankle coming down on Myles Turner’s foot after a hook shot attempt, while Hunter dislocated his right thumb after being shoved midair by Bennedict Mathurin on a block attempt.

Neither Mobley nor Hunter was available for Game 2, a devastating 120-119 loss at Rocket Arena that left Cleveland reeling. The Pacers listed both as questionable for Game 3, and neither has participated in live practice since their injuries. Atkinson expressed frustration over the ambiguity surrounding their status but declined to speculate.

“It’s so hard with these,” Atkinson said. “The only way I could answer that is if I kind of got inside their bodies. Otherwise, I’m just playing a guessing game. You never know. This is just life in the NBA. I think it’s frustrating for all of us. It’s no indictment on anybody or the players, none of that. Injuries are a tough thing. You don’t know unless you experience it yourself.”

The situation places the Cavs in a precarious position. They’re potentially down three of their top four scorers, all while facing a Pacers team riding high and at full strength.

While Donovan Mitchell continues to lead the charge, even playing through a minor calf strain that caused late-game cramping in Game 2, the All-Star guard has not been listed on the injury report and is expected to suit up without restrictions.

Cleveland is in a precarious position

“It’s the playoffs. There’s no excuse,” said Dean Wade, who started in place of Mobley. “We can’t use anything as an excuse. Come out and just battle and compete at the highest level.

“I think we did that for most of the game, last game, but when we came together before the last game, it was just all about competing at the highest level, doing it for longer, and just being super physical and playing to your strengths.”

In Game 2, that mentality nearly paid off. But as Wade said, there are still no excuses for the Cavs heading into Game 3. Regardless of who is available, Game 3 will test Cleveland’s resilience. But if the Cavs want to rewrite the narrative of this series, they need to leave it all on the floor. Hopefully, they have enough players available to win.