The Charlotte Hornets will travel to Cleveland on Friday night to face the struggling Cavaliers. The first tap is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Cleveland.
Will LaMelo Ball playing tonight?
The Cavaliers started the season as one of the hottest teams in the NBA, thanks to offseason acquisition Donovan Mitchell, but have since lost five straight games entering this game.
Donovan Mitchell had 23 points (7-19 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 6-6 FT), three assists, two rebounds, and two steals in 34 minutes against the Bucks on Wednesday.
Mitchell struggled on the field on Wednesday after missing the game against Minnesota on Sunday due to an ankle injury. Mitchell had his second-lowest scoring output of the season, but he remains one of the Cavaliers’ offensive focal points.
- See more about Mitchell’s injuries: Donovan Mitchell’s Injury Status for the Cleveland Cavaliers
Darius Garland cooled off after scoring 51 points against the Timberwolves, but he still put in a good effort overall.
Garland had 23 points (8-20 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 2-3 FT) in Wednesday’s 113-98 loss to Milwaukee, as well as eight assists, four rebounds, one steal, and one block.
Dean Wade (knee) is questionable for Friday’s game against Charlotte.
Wade has missed the last three games due to a knee injury and is expected to miss another on Friday.
Jarrett Allen is questionable for Friday’s game because of a non-COVID illness.
Allen had missed the previous two games due to an ankle injury, but he appears to have contracted an illness now that his ankle has healed.
LaMelo Ball, the Hornets’ all-star point guard, returned from an ankle injury to lead the team to a victory over the Magic. However, he re-injured his ankle in his second game back and is now out for the season.
LaMelo Ball (ankle) will miss Friday’s game against Cleveland.
After rolling his ankle in the fourth quarter of the Pacers’ loss on Wednesday, LaMelo Ball went to the locker room, and he had X-rays taken after the game, which came back negative. He was unable to practice on Thursday and will miss at least one game as a result.
Coach Steve Clifford said Thursday that he didn’t know how long Ball would be out and that he might miss more than one game.
Mark Williams will miss his second game in a row due to a left ankle sprain. His next appearance will be against Washington on Sunday.
Gordon Hayward (shoulder) is questionable for Friday’s game.
Dennis Smith (ankle) is questionable for the game against Cleveland on Friday.
