Power forward Evan Mobley will return from left knee surgery and play in a game for the first time since early December, when Cleveland, which was strong without two starters, will host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. .
Mobley last played against Orlando on December 6. The 22-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery on December 18 and has been recovering ever since and is back on the court sooner than expected. The Cavaliers initially said he could be out for up to two months.
Mobley participated in shootaround Monday morning. He is listed as doubtful on the injury report, but will continue to play unless he suffers a setback in pregame warmups.
As Mobley works to regain game shape, coach J.B. Bickerstaff will likely limit his playing time.
The 6-foot-11 Mobley is one of the NBA’s premier interior defenders, averaging 16.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.7 blocks in 21 games before his injury. The former USC standout is the third overall pick in the 2021 draft.
Mobley’s injury coincided with Boston point guard Darius Garland’s broken jaw on Dec. 15, and when both starters were injured, it seemed like the Cavaliers’ season might be in serious jeopardy.
However, Cleveland went 14-4 without Mobley and Garland, who recently had a wire removed from his chin and is set to return.
“We played unselfish basketball,” forward Isaac Okoro said. “The ball is moving, everyone is touching it, everyone is playing with energy. We know we have guys that can step up and play to their strengths. We have a tough, never-give-up mentality.”
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