This news sucks.
Early Rookie of the Year frontrunner Evan Mobley will be out 2-4 weeks after spraining his elbow against the Celtics on Monday night, the Cavaliers announced. Mobley clearly was bothered (he was 0-of-11 shooting on the night) and left the game in the third quarter, then had an MRI done on Tuesday.
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 16, 2021
Mobley, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, is averaging 14.6 points and 8.0 rebounds a game, plus playing very good defense for a rookie, anchoring the Cavaliers in the paint (coach J.B. Bickerstaff even had him as the disruptive top of a 1-2-2 zone a couple of times). Mobley had gotten comfortable playing at the four next to Jarrett Allen, but he could also step in and play some center. His play is a central reason Cleveland is off to a surprising 9-6 start to the season.
The Cavaliers have plenty of options at the four while Mobley is out: Lauri Markkanen can slide from the three to his more natural position, plus Kevin Love is expected back this week.
Still, this is a real blow to the Cavaliers and NBA fans — Mobley has been one of the most fun players to watch to start the season. Hopefully, he will be back soon.
