Top rookie Mobley latest Cavalier injured
Cleveland Cavaliers rookie forward Evan Mobley will miss Wednesday night’s game against Dallas — and maybe more — with a sprained left ankle as the injury-plagued team fights for a playoff spot.
Mobley was injured in the first half of Monday’s win over Orlando. The 7-footer went up to contest a shot and then came down on Magic forward Franz Wagner’s foot, rolling his ankle.
Mobley limped to the locker room and didn’t return. Once they shook off the shock of yet another injury, the Cavaliers held on for a 107-101 win. It was their 42nd this season, 20 more than a year ago, and clinched Cleveland’s first winning season without LeBron James on the roster since 1998.
Mobley, 20, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, is averaging 14.9 points and 8.3 rebounds in 67 starts and is a contender for rookie of the year honors.
All-Star center Jarrett Allen also will miss the matchup with the Mavericks. He has been out since March 6 with a broken finger, and it’s not known when he’ll be back. The Cavaliers are seventh in the Eastern Conference with seven games remaining.
The top six teams are guaranteed playoff spots while teams No. 7-10 meet in a playin tournament.
The Cavs have lost leading scorer Collin Sexton, veteran guard Ricky Rubio and forward Dean Wade to seasonending knee injuries. Allen has been out for the past 11 games and guard Rajon Rondo has missed the last eight with a sprained right ankle.
Lakers
LeBron James missed Tuesday’s game at Dallas with a sprained right ankle, and Anthony Davis remained sidelined but is closer to returning from a foot sprain as the Los Angeles Lakers battle for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. The Lakers were a half-game ahead of San Antonio for 10th in the West before Tuesday’s game.