Injuries continue to take toll on Cavs in stretch run

Injuries are starting to erode a stellar season for the Cavaliers. Despite its lofty standing in the Eastern Conference, No. 3 seed Cleveland has had its entire team together for just a handful of games this season. Largely because of injuries, the Cavs are 2-4 in their last six games. They are playing without their leading scorer in Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 27.4 points per game. His ability to score points in bunches sure would have come in handy Wednesday in the Cavs' 107-104 loss to the Miami Heat. The five-time All-Star guard is sidelined with a broken nose and a sore left knee. He missed the last two games and will be reevaluated in about a week. Mitchell will be out of the lineup once again tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The player closest to returning appears to be power forward Evan Mobley, who has missed the last eight games with a sprained left ankle. His defensive acumen and shot blocking have been missed. Swingman Max Strus has been sidelined the last eight games with a sprained right knee. Forward Dean Wade has missed the last three games with soreness in his right knee. He wasn't with the team for three games prior to that for "personal reasons." Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he can't provide a timetable right now for the returns of the injured players. "The objective is to put as many good days in a row as we can," he said. "So when we put them on the floor we're not fearing any setbacks. They're progressing in the right direction. I would say they're closer, obviously, but I can't give you a timetable as when they'll all be back." All the absences have done a number on Bickerstaff's rotation. At this stage of the season, coaches want to fine-tune their playoff rotations. That hasn't been possible for Bickerstaff. "I mean, it's difficult," he said. "I believe we have an understanding of who our guys are. One of the things that I think is a blessing is our guys are high-basketball-IQ guys and they're unselfish players, so they can come in and kind of just fit. There may be some bumps, you know what I mean? "The rotation is going to be difficult, to be honest with you, just because we haven't had the time. I think we, obviously, have the core group of guys. It is going to be a little difficult to manage, but we'll just have to figure it out." Center Jarrett Allen said he feels a responsibility to step up in games when so many players are sidelined. He certainly did against the Heat with 25 points and 20 rebounds. "That's just part of my job," he said. "I don't have to go out there and have the best game every night but I have to have a baseline of showing excellence for my team." He said he pays special attention to the aches and pains as the season wears on. "As I'm getting on in years in this league, I'm understanding that getting in the treatment room is just as important as getting on the court," Allen said. "Somedays I'm in the treatment room more than on the court." Good chemistry Swingman Caris LeVert and Allen have formed a special bond on the court. On Monday in Indiana, six of LeVert's 11 assists came on baskets by the center. "Caris and I have been on the same team for my whole career, it seems like," Allen said. "We have that connection. He just knows how to find people and get by his guy. "It's a showcase of his skillsets. He's always been a good passer. He's always been able to make the right read." Bickerstaff said the two players have "good chemistry. J.A. is always on alert." Before joining forces in Cleveland, they were teammates in Brooklyn. Old guy Recently signed forward Marcus Morris Sr., the oldest player on the team at 34, said his body feels good. "I was on vacation for about a month," he said. When he made his Cavs debut Monday, he said his children "were taken aback." "They were very excited. They were a big reason I came back to play," he said. Despite not playing in the NBA for more than a month, he was mentally ready. "I was staying focused," Morris said. "I was at home but I was still training. I was preparing as if I was playing. I didn't know if I would play or not." Because of his relationship with Bickerstaff — they were together on the Houston Rockets several years ago — he said he "only watched Cleveland play. I had a good relationship with the coach." Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.