Cavaliers: Evan Mobley latest player struck down by injury

CLEVELAND — Just when the Cavaliers seemed to be hitting their stride, they've experienced another setback. Forward/center Evan Mobley suffered a left calf strain in Monday's game against the Orlando Magic and could miss three weeks. The 7-foot, 230-pounder missed five games earlier this year with the same injury. He returned to play 17 games before experiencing soreness after the Orlando game Monday. After an MRI, Cleveland decided to shut him down for an extended period. "It's not a great situation," Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said. "Obviously, he's one of our best players. He healed really quick last time. He said he's feeling better today. I'm praying his healing time will be sped up." Mobley is averaging 17.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 blocks this season. Atkinson said he's confident his two backup bigs, Larry Nance Jr. and Thomas Bryant, can get the job done in Mobley's absence. "We're covered," the coach said. "We probably won't be playing as many two bigs together." On a night Mobley sat against LeBron James and the Lakers at Rocket Arena on Wednesday, the Cavs welcomed back swingman Sam Merrill and De'Andre Hunter. Atkinson refers to Merrill as a "connector." "They make others better, especially Sam," he said. "He gets into the paint now more than he has. They have to chase him off screens. It gives more space for our playmakers to make plays." Like Mobley, Merrill suffered the same injury that plagued him earlier. He missed 14 games with a sprained right hand, returned for 12 games and then hurt it again. Merrill was sidelined for the previous six games, one for personal reasons. Hunter missed both Orlando games with a sore knee. Atkinson said there is no update on point guard Darius Garland, who has yet to have any contact. Cavs sign Enaruna The Cavs signed forward Tristan Enaruna to a two-way contract and waived two-way player Chris Livingston. The 6-foot-8, 220-pound Enaruna has appeared in 23 games with the G League Cleveland Charge. He averaged 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals. He scored 20 or more points 13 times, including a career-high 29 points on two occasions. The Netherlands native played at Cleveland State from 2022-24 where he averaged 19.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals. "It started in summer league," Atkinson said. "He played phenomenally with the Charge. I'm a big fan. I think he can help us. He'll probably get an opportunity here." Enaruna also played collegiately at Iowa State (2021-22) and Kansas (2019-21) before transferring to CSU. He wasn't drafted after his senior year with the Vikings in 2024. Livingston appeared in three games this season for the Cavs and 16 games (one start) for the Charge. The Akron native signed a two-way contract with Cleveland on Nov. 4. The Cavs' roster now sits at 17 players, including three two-way players. Enaruna will wear No. 21. Big fan Lakers coach J.J. Redick is a big fan of Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell. "Mitchell is one of the best offensive players in the NBA," he said. "He's good at everything. He's a dynamic offensive player." Dulik saluted Atkinson applauded local sportswriter Brian Dulik for attending 1,000 consecutive Cavs home games. Dulik works for the Chronicle-Telegram, Gazette, Associated Press and Reuters. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.