Cavaliers Grapple with Injuries and Physical Play After Game 1 Loss to Pacers
Cleveland, Ohio – The Cleveland Cavaliers, entering the 2024 NBA playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s top seed, find themselves facing adversity early in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Indiana Pacers. After a dominant first-round sweep of the Miami Heat, the Cavaliers stumbled in Game 1 against the Pacers on Sunday, falling to a determined Indiana team.
The loss has been compounded by concerns regarding the Pacers’ physicality and its potential impact on the Cavaliers’ roster. Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson voiced his concerns during the postgame press conference, highlighting the injuries sustained by key players Evan Mobley and DeAndre Hunter.
Mobley, a pivotal member of the Cavaliers’ frontcourt rotation, reportedly aggravated an ankle injury during the game. Hunter, another important contributor, suffered a dislocated thumb. While Atkinson stopped short of labeling the Pacers’ play as "dirty," he suggested that the level of physicality employed by Indiana contributed to the injuries plaguing his team.
"I don’t think they were dirty plays, but I think it passed a line of physicality," Atkinson stated. "That line we’ve kind of been talking about where it became excessive."
Atkinson specifically cited two incidents that raised his eyebrows. The first involved a non-call on a layup attempt by Hunter, where Atkinson felt Hunter was "absolutely obliterated" and subsequently dislocated his thumb. The second incident concerned a contest on a two-point shot by Mobley, where Pacers center Myles Turner allegedly came "under him," causing Mobley to limp for the remainder of the game.
The Cavaliers’ concerns about the Pacers’ physicality and the officiating during Game 1 prompted them to submit three plays to the NBA for review. According to NBA protocol, when a team submits plays to the league for review, the opposing team must be notified.
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle responded to Atkinson’s claims, defending his team’s style of play and emphasizing the importance of protecting his players. "He’s protecting his players," Carlisle said. "And that’s a big part of the coach’s job."
Carlisle acknowledged the inherent physicality of playoff basketball and highlighted the disagreements that inevitably arise during heated series. He also referenced the high number of plays the Pacers submitted for review during their first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, which they won in five games.
Carlisle also addressed the specific play involving Jarrett Allen, acknowledging that it was a "missed call" by the officials.
Carlisle himself is familiar with NBA discipline related to officiating criticism. He was fined $35,000 by the NBA in May 2024 for comments he made about the referees during the Pacers’ playoff series against the New York Knicks.
The escalating tensions and injury concerns have created a challenging situation for the Cavaliers as they look to even the series. Shortly before Game 2 tipped off on Tuesday evening, reports surfaced that both Mobley and Hunter had been ruled out due to their respective injuries. Further compounding the Cavaliers’ woes, guard Darius Garland, who missed Game 1 with an injury, was also ruled unavailable for Game 2.
The absence of these key players significantly impacts the Cavaliers’ depth and offensive firepower. Mobley’s defensive presence and versatility are crucial to the Cavaliers’ defensive scheme, while Hunter provides valuable scoring and playmaking off the bench. Garland’s absence leaves a void in the Cavaliers’ backcourt, as he is one of the team’s primary ball-handlers and scoring threats.
Despite the significant injuries and adversity facing the Cavaliers, they entered Game 2 determined to bounce back and protect their home court. The Cavaliers managed to build a commanding lead over the Pacers, holding an 81-67 advantage with 5:07 remaining in the third quarter of Game 2 on Tuesday night.
The Cavaliers’ ability to maintain their lead and secure a victory in Game 2, despite the absence of key players, will be a crucial test of their resilience and determination. The Pacers, however, are expected to continue their physical brand of basketball and will look to capitalize on the Cavaliers’ injuries to seize control of the series.
The remainder of the series is expected to be a hard-fought battle, with both teams vying for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavaliers will need to adjust their game plan and rely on their remaining players to step up in the absence of Mobley, Hunter, and Garland. The Pacers, on the other hand, will need to maintain their physicality while avoiding crossing the line into dirty play.
The outcome of the series will likely hinge on the Cavaliers’ ability to overcome their injury challenges, the Pacers’ ability to maintain their physical play without incurring penalties, and the performance of the role players on both teams. The Eastern Conference Semifinals promises to be a captivating and closely contested series.
