The Cleveland Cavaliers will enter Monday’s matchup at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City without several key players.
Jarrett Allen (right knee) and Jaylon Tyson (left great toe) are listed as out, while Max Strus (left foot) and Dean Wade (right ankle) are also sidelined. Craig Porter Jr. (left groin) is probable, offering some hope for rotation depth. Additional absences include G League two-way players Tristan Enaruna, Riley Minix, and Olivier Sarr.
The Jazz face a similarly depleted roster, with multiple starters unavailable. Lauri Markkanen (right hip), Walker Kessler (left shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic (nose), and Jaren Jackson Jr. (left knee) are all out. Isaiah Collier (left hamstring) and Keyonte George (right hamstring) are also inactive. G League two-way Blake Hinson will not play.
Cleveland relies heavily on Donovan Mitchell, who leads the team with 27.9 points and 5.8 assists per game this season. James Harden averages 20.8 points and 8.1 assists. Evan Mobley contributes 18.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per outing.
Utah will depend on younger players like Ace Bailey, averaging 13.5 points, and Kyle Filipowski, who pulls down seven rebounds per game. Markkanen’s absence removes their top scorer at 26.7 points per game.
Recent form suggests the Cavaliers have momentum, winning their last home game 149-128 over the Miami Heat after a prior loss to the same opponent.
Utah is struggling, having lost consecutive games to the Phoenix Suns (109-134) and Denver Nuggets (129-135).
Cleveland’s 46-28 record positions them fourth in the Eastern Conference, while Utah sits 14th in the West at 21-54.
The matchup tips at 9:00 PM ET at the Delta Center.
