The Cleveland Cavaliers lost rookie big man Evan Mobley to a sprained left ankle in Monday night’s 107-101 victory over the visiting Orlando Magic.
X-rays on Mobley’s ankle were negative, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Mobley, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, landed on the foot of Franz Wagner while defending under the basket in the second quarter. He limped to the locker room after briefly laying on the court and did not return to the game.
Mobley is averaging 14.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, placing him squarely in the rookie of the year race with the Toronto Raptors‘ Scottie Barnes and Detroit Pistons‘ Cade Cunningham.
The Cavaliers snapped a three-game losing streak and clinched their first winning season in four years. It is the first time they will finish above .500 without LeBron James on their roster since 1997-98.
They remain seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 42-33 record.
Mobley is the latest addition to the Cavaliers’ injury woes. All-Star center Jarrett Allen (left middle finger fracture) missed his 11th straight game for the Cavs. Point guard Rajon Rondo (right ankle sprain) has not played since March 12, and shooting guard Collin Sexton (left knee surgery), veteran point guard Ricky Rubio (torn left ACL) and forward Dean Wade (right knee surgery) are out for the season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: www.espn.com