The Cleveland Cavaliers will face off against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night in a game that some NBA fans have had circled on their calendars for some time. But unfortunately for the Cavaliers, a whopping six players are listed on the team’s injury report ahead of the contest.
Three players have already been ruled out for Cleveland. Dean Wade will sit out due to a left ankle sprain after he played in the Cavaliers’ most recent game against the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 17.
Furthermore, Emoni Bates won’t play against Boston thanks to his commitment to the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate in the Canton Charge, and Max Strus has yet to make his season debut with Cleveland due to a right ankle sprain.
There are three players — Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro and Sam Merrill — who are questionable to take the court for the Cavaliers at TD Garden as well.
Conversely, Kristaps Porzingis is the only player of note who will be sidelined for Boston. Like Strus, the Latvian big man hasn’t suited up in a single contest since the 2024-25 regular season has started.
The Cavaliers head into Tuesday night’s matchup with the hope of keeping their undefeated start to the season alive. Cleveland is chasing history, as its 15-0 start is tied for the second-best in NBA history. The Golden State Warriors started the 2015-16 campaign out with a record of 24-0, but that team didn’t even go on to win the title.
As for the Celtics, they’re looking to make a statement and resolidify themselves as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers’ torrid start perhaps has overshadowed Boston’s excellent beginning to the season. While the Celtics aren’t undefeated, their record of 11-3 is nothing to scoff at by any means.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Celtics and Cavaliers faced off against each other in the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, so it should be interesting to find out whether this contest will get chippy at some point.
