The Cleveland Cavaliers have been rolling during the 2024-25 NBA season, compiling a 36-8 record, which is the best in the Eastern Conference.
Under head coach Kenny Atkinson, the Cavaliers are one of the best teams in the league on both sides of the floor.
With their overall performance, Cleveland is widely considered a legitimate championship threat that can give the defending champion Boston Celtics a run for their money.
However, the Cavaliers have faced a challenging week, having lost two games to the Houston Rockets and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Injuries are mostly to blame, especially the calf injury to Evan Mobley who has missed the last four games.
Ahead of their rematch against Houston, Cleveland ruled out Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade via Evan Dammarell of Right Down Euclid.
“Caris LeVert and Evan Mobley are questionable for the #Cavs against the Houston Rockets and likely will be a game-time decision. Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade are out,” Dammarell reported.
Caris LeVert and Evan Mobley are questionable for the #Cavs against the Houston Rockets and likely will be a game-time decision.
Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade are out.
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) January 25, 2025
With both Okoro and Wade out, Cleveland will be short on the wings, which could be problematic against a young and athletic Rockets squad.
The Cavaliers will be forced to lean on Max Strus and Ty Jerome to replace Okoro and Wade, though players like Sam Merrill and Georges Niang will also need to step up.
Cleveland narrowly lost the last game to Houston 109-108, so it will be interesting to see what adjustments Atkinson makes this time around and whether the players can overcome being shorthanded.
NEXT: Analyst Calls On Cavs To Regroup After Loss To 76ers
