REPORT: Two Cavaliers Stars No Longer On Minute Restriction
Despite dealing with a multitude of injuries this season, the Cleveland Cavaliers currently own the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 36-17 record.
Two of these injuries were arthroscopic left knee surgery for Evan Mobley, and a fractured jaw for Darius Garland, who also underwent surgery.
While the Wine and Gold have gone an NBA-best 8-1 since having both back in their rotation, the two players will now reportedly be back in full capacity.
According to Right Down Euclid’s Evan Dammarell, Cavaliers Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said on Wednesday that both Mobley and Garland are no longer on a minute restriction.
Mobley has played in nine of Cleveland’s 10 games since returning from his injury, averaging 15.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, one block, and 0.9 steals in 25.8 minutes per contest, while shooting 62.6% from the field. But most notably, his three-point shooting has vastly improved in this span.
In 21 games before his prolonged absence, in which he averaged 33.6 minutes per game, the 22-year-old shot just 2-for-10 (20%) from beyond the arc. On the contrary, Mobley has shot 8-for-14 (57.1%) from three-point range since his return.
Nov 30, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) and guard Darius Garland (10) wait to enter the game in the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
© David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Garland has played in all nine of Cleveland’s games since his return from injury, averaging 12.7 points, 6.0 assists, and 0.9 steals in 26.9 minutes per contest. He has also shot 29.3% from three-point range and a perfect 16-for-16 from the free throw line.
In 20 games before his injury, the 24-year-old averaged 20.7 points, 5.9 assists, and 1.6 steals in 34.0 minutes per contest. He also shot 34.6% from deep and 83.5% from the free throw line.
Without a minute restriction, Cavaliers fans should expect a statistical uptick for both players as Cleveland makes a run for the postseason.
