The Eastern Conference Finals tip off tonight at Madison Square Garden, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are coming in with some uncertainty on their roster.
Game 1 against the New York Knicks is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, and Cleveland has one name.
The NBA’s official injury report shows Larry Nance Jr. listed as questionable for the Cavaliers due to illness. On the Knicks’ side, OG Anunoby is listed as probable with a right hamstring strain, but more on that in a moment.
Larry Nance Jr. Injury Status for Cavaliers vs Knicks Game 1
GettyCavaliers Injury Report Revealed Before Knicks Matchup
Nance is a rotation forward for Cleveland, not a starter, but losing a bench piece matters for a team already running on fumes.
The Cavaliers had just one day between their seven-game series win over the Detroit Pistons and the start of this series against New York. Back-to-back grueling runs with barely any rest, and now illness creeping in before the biggest series of their season.
Cleveland’s expected starting five remains intact: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.
But depth matters in a seven-game series, and Nance being unavailable would thin out a bench that will need to contribute against a well-rested Knicks group.
OG Anunoby Probable for Knicks in Eastern Conference Finals Game 1
GettyCavaliers Reveal Latest Injury Status Before Knicks Clash
In terms of injuries, New York is in a much better position. Anunoby sustained a right hamstring strain near the end of Game 2 versus the Philadelphia 76ers on May 6 and was sidelined for the last two games of the series.
However, the Knicks managed to sweep Philadelphia without him and in fact, he was given almost two weeks to heal.
ESPN’s Shams Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show that Anunoby “is going to be playing in Game 1,” calling it the most important thing to come out of New York’s second-round sweep. Anunoby was a full participant in practice, and he kept it simple when asked about his recovery. “It didn’t feel as bad as the past when it happened,” he said. “So knowing that, just trying to improve it day by day.”
Through eight playoff games this year, Anunoby is averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. Getting him back against a Cleveland backcourt led by Mitchell and Harden is a significant boost for New York heading into tonight.
Cleveland comes in battle-tested but tired. New York comes in rested but potentially rusty. Nance’s availability, however minor it seems on paper, is one more variable the Cavaliers could do without as this series gets underway.
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