Unfortunately, it’s one out but one in for the Cavaliers in regards to COVID-19 protocols.
According to NBA Insider Shams Charania, rookie center Evan Mobley has cleared the NBA’s protocols and could rejoin the team as soon as today – but shortly after that news broke, Adrian Wojnarowski dropped a Woj bomb that Darius Garland has entered the protocols.
The moves keep six Cavaliers in COVID protocols, with Garland replacing Mobley in joining Jarrett Allen, Ed Davis, Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens, and Dylan Windler in the NBA’s Health & Safety protocols.
Mobley, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, has played 25 games this season and averaged 13.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks so far, pushing his name into early contention for a spot on the NBA’s All-Defensive Team.
His return will fill a huge role, pun intended, in the Cavs’ frontcourt, as the team has been relying on Tacko Fall and Luke Kornet behind Kevin Love and Lauri Markkanen due to all the big men absent.
Garland has averaged a team-high 19.5 points, 7.3 assists, and 1.4 steals for the Cavs this season, and he has played 31 of 33 games, second on the team behind Ricky Rubio (who has played all 33).
The Cavaliers are 20-13 despite the absences, and defeated Toronto 144-99 Sunday to get back in the win column after last Wednesday’s loss to Boston snapped a six-game winning streak.
Cleveland is set to begin a two-game road trip on Tuesday night, visiting New Orleans before heading to Washington on Thursday, and then closing out 2021 by hosting Atlanta on New Year’s Eve.
