The Cleveland Cavaliers released their injury report ahead of Sunday’s 6:00 PM ET meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, listing five players unavailable.
Jarrett Allen remains out with a strain to his right third finger. Lonzo Ball will also sit due to left knee injury management.
Cleveland will be without Sam Merrill because of a right-hand sprain. Craig Porter Jr. remains sidelined with a left hamstring strain, and Max Strus continues his recovery from left foot surgery following a Jones fracture.
The Cavaliers enter the matchup at 11-6 and recently defeated the Pacers 120-109, led by Donovan Mitchell’s ongoing scoring surge. Mitchell averages 30.3 points per game, and Evan Mobley adds 19.0 points and 8.8 rebounds.
The absences place greater emphasis on Cleveland’s remaining perimeter creators, especially Darius Garland, who leads the team with 5.5 assists per contest.
The Clippers will submit their injury report closer to tip-off, though their core group has been heavily dependent on James Harden’s playmaking. Harden averages 28.4 points, 8.5 assists, and 6.0 rebounds. Kawhi Leonard, who is expected to return from a 9-games absence on Sunday, contributes 24.3 points per game, while Ivica Zubac’s 11.2 rebounds reinforce their interior stability.
Los Angeles enters at 5-11 but is coming off a 131-116 win over the Hornets on Friday, breaking a short skid behind 55 points by Harden.
The matchup marks the first meeting between the two teams this season.
