The Cleveland Cavaliers’ season is off to a rough start, with a 3-2 record, and multiple key players sidelined by injuries. Ahead of tonight’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors, things have only worsened. Just a few hours before the game, fans were faced with yet another challenging situation. It was revealed that All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell would be sitting out the team’s start to the NBA Cup.

The six-time All-Star was listed as ‘questionable’ in the afternoon injury report, but a few hours before tipoff, head coach Kenny Atkinson addressed the media. He revealed that Mitchell was officially out with left hamstring tightness. It’s not the first time the guard has dealt with lower-body soreness in his career, and the team will have to manage the injury carefully going forward.

However, he’s not the only one sidelined tonight. Center Jarrett Allen suffered a fracture on his finger during their matchup against the Boston Celtics after forward Dean Wade swished a shot that landed directly on his hand, but proceeded to play through it without protection. Atkinson said, “Jarrett was saying, ‘I could see if it was like a brick that I’d be mad about it, but the fact that it went right in, what are you going to do?’ It’s just one of those things.”

Both Allen and Mitchell have been crucial to the Cavs’ early-season momentum, especially considering they were already missing Darius Garland and Max Strus due to offseason surgery, and Sam Merrill had been sidelined previously this season. Thankfully, Mitchell’s injury is not serious, and is a day-to-day decision, which means he could return as soon as later in the week if there’s no setback during recovery.

With this situation in front of them, the Cavs have decided to start Lonzo Ball at point guard, Jaylon Tyson at shooting guard, De’Andre Hunter at small forward, Dean Wade at power forward, and Evan Mobley at center. This offers them solid defense and creation at the guard spots, as well as the ability to run a five-out lineup which prioritizes three-point shooting.

The pressure is now on regular starters Mobley and Hunter to take the win against the Raptors, who have struggled to start the season, winning just one of five games to start the season. Aside from them, young guards Jaylon Tyson, Craig Porter Jr. and Tyrese Proctor will have to step up alongside veteran floor general Lonzo Ball, who is on a minutes restriction.

On the bench, Larry Nance Jr. and reserve guard Luke Travers are expected to provide backup minutes, and the team will look at Thomas Bryant and Tyrese Proctor to run spot minutes.

Kenny Atkinson Emphasizes Health Over Regular Season Wins

Head Coach Kenny Atkinson knows that regular season success is important for this squad, especially after leading the Eastern Conference in wins last year. However, he’s not stressing it. “Listen, we were the picture of health last year,” Atkinson said. “We say that’s the biggest reason we won 64 games – not our system, not anything else. That was the biggest reason. So I’d rather go through this now than later in the year or towards playoff time.” The Cavs had multiple 15-game win streaks.

This might also point to the reason for the caution surrounding Darius Garland. Atkinson cautioned against playing him soon, saying, “I’ve made that mistake before… and this is just my side, just watching him on the court. I think there’s been no setbacks, not even any soreness or anything… He’s obviously No. 1 priority in terms of getting him back on the court. ”

Now, it’s up to the rest of the team to keep them afloat against the Raptors. At the time of writing, the match is 102-96 in the fourth quarter, and Mobley will need to assert himself to help the Cavaliers close the game without Donovan Mitchell out with an early win in the NBA Cup’s group stage.