With multiple key players sitting out, the Cleveland Cavaliers were already undermanned going into their Sunday matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. Unfortunately, the team took another hit after point guard Craig Porter Jr. sustained an injury in the first half of the regular-season finale.
Craig Porter Jr. just landed wrong after a transition block attempt and he's writhing in pain. Hopefully this isn't as severe as it looks. #Cavs
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) April 14, 2024
An immediate update was offered on the rookie.
Craig Porter Jr. has a sprained left ankle and won't return today. #Cavs
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) April 14, 2024
Porter exited after 10 minutes of action, finishing with two points, three rebounds and two assists. He was also a +8, helping Cleveland run to a 26-18 lead before he had to head to the locker room.
Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert were among the players ruled out ahead of Sunday’s game. Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff spoke about the many absences.
#Cavs J.B. Bickerstaff wanted to make it clear in pregame that each guy sitting out today is dealing with some kind of injury, no matter how minor, and he believes it's about doing what's best for them and the team long term — taking advantage of a few extra recovery days.
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) April 14, 2024
Hopefully, the Cavs can take care of business at home during the remainder of their matchup against the Hornets, especially if they wish to clinch the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. They currently trail the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks in the standings by one game. Even so, there is still a scenario in which they can secure second place in the East.
If Cleveland defeats the Hornets while both the Bucks and Knicks lose, the three teams will end up tied in the standings. Because the Cavs would win the Central Division in such a scenario, they would nab the No. 2 seed, as the division winner is the first tiebreaker in the event of a three-way tie.
The good news for Cleveland is that it can finish no lower than fourth place in the East, which means it will definitely have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Even so, the Cavs might be more focused on getting back healthy bodies instead of thinking about what seed they’ll end up with at the conclusion of the regular season. After all, at full strength, the team has a fair chance of beating any opponent in the playoffs.
Cleveland is trying to prove that its letdown in last year’s postseason was nothing more than a fluke.
