3 Cavs Players Ruled Out For Pacers Game

With the regular season winding down to just three remaining contests, two crucial matchups against the Cleveland Cavaliers loom large for the Indiana Pacers—first in Indianapolis, followed by Sunday’s season finale in Ohio.

The Cavaliers enter on a high note after securing the Eastern Conference’s top seed with their victory over the Chicago Bulls.

However, a significant development has emerged that could reshape Thursday’s contest.

“Darius Garland (toe sprain), Evan Mobley (rest), Donovan Mitchell (ankle), and Max Strus (knee injury management) are OUT for the #Cavs against the Indiana Pacers,” reported Right Down Euclid’s Evan Dammarell.

Darius Garland (toe sprain), Evan Mobley (rest), Donovan Mitchell (ankle), and Max Strus (knee injury management) are OUT for the #Cavs against the Indiana Pacers.

— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) April 9, 2025

This late-season injury situation has hit the Cleveland Cavaliers hard. Evan Mobley is sitting for rest purposes, while Donovan Mitchell nurses a left ankle sprain and Max Strus manages a right knee contusion. Darius Garland’s toe injury adds to Cleveland’s woes.

The significance of these absences can’t be overstated—Mitchell, Garland, and Mobley represent the team’s top three scoring options.

Mitchell leads the Cleveland offense with 24 points per game, complemented by Garland’s 20.5 and Mobley’s 18.6.

Beyond scoring, Mobley anchors the defense with team-leading averages in rebounds (9.3) and blocks (1.6) while contributing 3.2 assists nightly.

Garland orchestrates the offense with 6.7 assists per game, while Mitchell fills the stat sheet with 5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals—performances that have put him in contention for first-team All-NBA honors.

Strus, though not as heralded, provides valuable floor spacing with 9.2 points per game and 38.4% shooting from beyond the arc.

For the Indiana Pacers, these absences potentially create a favorable path toward their sixth straight win as they look to strengthen their playoff positioning in the season’s final week.