The Cleveland Cavaliers head to Barclays Center on Sunday, March 1, with key names on the injury report ahead of their 3:30 p.m. ET matchup against the Brooklyn Nets.
Cleveland (37-24) sits fourth in the Eastern Conference but will be without leading scorer Donovan Mitchell, who is out with a right groin strain. Mitchell averages 28.5 points, 5.8 assists and 3.5 made 3-pointers per game, and his absence removes the team’s primary half-court creator.
James Harden is listed as questionable due to a right thumb fracture. The 36-year-old guard is averaging 18.9 points and 8.0 assists in seven games with Cleveland while shooting 48.8 percent from three-point range.
Keon Ellis is also questionable with a left index finger fracture. He has provided 6.4 points and 1.6 steals per game in limited action.
Max Strus remains out following left foot surgery for a Jones fracture, and Dean Wade is sidelined with a right ankle sprain. Two-way forward Riley Minix is out on G League assignment.
Without Mitchell, more offensive responsibility falls on Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt. Mobley is averaging 17.7 points and 8.7 rebounds, while Allen is shooting 63.9 percent from the field and contributing 15.3 points and 8.6 boards.
Cleveland enters on a two-game losing streak after overtime and late-game defeats to Detroit and Milwaukee.
Brooklyn (15-44) is also dealing with injuries as it tries to snap a seven-game skid. Starting center Nic Claxton is questionable with a right thumb sprain.
Claxton averages 12.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists while anchoring the interior defense.
Rookie Egor Demin is out with left plantar fascia injury management. Several players, including Tyson Etienne, Chaney Johnson, E.J. Liddell and Drake Powell, are unavailable due to G League assignments.
The Nets rely heavily on Michael Porter Jr., who is averaging 24.4 points and 7.0 rebounds.
Cleveland has won both previous meetings this season, including a 112-84 victory on February 19. The Cavaliers also secured a 131-124 road win in the October 24 opener.
