Cavs without Evan Mobley in confrontation with Kevin Durant, Suns

After ending their journey on a high note, c Cleveland Cavaliers they want to carry the momentum at home against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns. As mentioned, The Cavs ended their road trip with a big win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, putting Minnesota away early in the second half. The Suns are on a two-game winning streak, with Phoenix’s latest win comes on the road against the Detroit Pistons.

This will be Cleveland’s first of two games against Phoenix. Since both teams are in separate conferences, they only face each other twice a season. The next time both teams compete will be in Phoenix in mid-March. Last season, the Suns swept the Cavs. That means Cleveland will be looking for revenge against Phoenix. Unfortunately, both teams are dealing with injuries for health to decide.

Who’s on the injury report for the Suns on the road in Cleveland?

Against the Cavs, Phoenix will be without Jalen Bridges (NBA G League assignment), Jusuf Nurkic (return to court) and TiT Washington Jr. (NBA G League assignment). Meanwhile, shooting guard Bradley Beal is questionable for the Suns as he deals with a sprained left ankle. Neither Phoenix nor Cleveland will have an early morning matchup. So Beal’s status will ultimately be a game-time decision.

The Suns are hoping Beal will return Monday after rolling his ankle battling for a rebound with Atlanta Hawks wing David Roddy in the third quarter of Tuesday’s loss to start a five-game road trip. He checked out of the game with 5:53 left in the third, but Beal returned to action with 1:41 left in the quarter.

Beal played 9 minutes, 37 seconds in the fourth quarter and finished with 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting. He has not played since. However, Beal hopes to play against the Cavs after missing the last two games with a sprained left ankle.

“As long as I can move like Brad, I’m good,” Bill said.

The Suns guard dribbled, cut, stopped, jumped and shot with fluid movement while Phoenix practiced at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

“It’s better,” Beal said of the ankle.

The Cavs will have major concerns without them Evan Mobley against Phoenix

For Cleveland, the Cavs will be without Emoni Bates and Luke Travers. Both players are on assignment with the Cleveland Charge, the Cavs’ NBA G League affiliate, which should come as no surprise. These players need opportunities on the court to grow and develop, something they don’t get regularly with the Cavs. Instead, they get these opportunities with the Charge, allowing them to grow and develop into players who can make a difference on the field for the premier club.

The worrisome names on Cleveland’s injury report are Evan Mobley (calf) and Isaac Okoro (shoulder). Both remain sidelined after missing the Cavs’ win over the Timberwolves.

After missing 32 games last season, Mobley missed just two games during the 2024-25 season. Not only that, but he also had the best year of his career. Mobley is averaging 18.6 points with 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 42.1% from deep.

If Mobley doesn’t suit up, Max Struss could return to the starting lineup, with Dean Wade sliding into the fourth spot. Georges Niang would likely see more action as well.

Okoro, meanwhile, was dealing with a nagging shoulder injury. The Cavs forward has already missed time this year because of it. However, with Okoro returning to game-time form, Cleveland could give him the night off against Minnesota to prevent him from re-aggravating the injury.

Not having either is a tough pill to swallow for the Cavs, especially against a team as loaded as the Suns. Hopefully Cleveland can dig deep and remain dominant at home this season.