The NBA playoffs are heating up, but the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in a precarious situation as they prepare for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers. After securing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a strong regular season, the Cavs stumbled in their playoff opener, dropping a 121-112 decision to the Pacers on Sunday, May 4, 2025. To make matters worse, they will head into Game 2 on Tuesday, May 6, without three key players: All-Star point guard Darius Garland, Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, and important reserve De'Andre Hunter.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson had hoped to maintain the health of his roster by allowing some players to rest during the final stretch of the regular season. However, that strategy backfired as injuries began to plague the team just as the playoffs commenced. Garland, who suffered a toe injury during the first-round series against the Miami Heat, has been ruled out for the entire Pacers series after missing the final two games against Miami and Game 1 against Indiana.
Mobley’s absence is particularly concerning for the Cavaliers. He was instrumental in the team's success this season, earning the coveted Defensive Player of the Year title. Mobley sustained a left ankle sprain in Game 1 against the Pacers after landing awkwardly on a jump shot when he was contested by Indiana center Myles Turner. Although he managed to finish the game, the injury worsened in the following days, leading to his exclusion from Game 2.
“Evan is crushed to be missing Game 2,” reported Chris Fedor from Cleveland.com. Mobley was seen limping in the locker room prior to the game, highlighting the severity of his condition. As the Cavaliers look to bounce back from their Game 1 defeat, they will have to rely heavily on their remaining players to step up in the absence of their stars.
In addition to Garland and Mobley, De'Andre Hunter will also miss Game 2 due to a dislocated thumb he suffered during a hard fall in Game 1. Hunter was attempting a layup when he was blocked by Bennedict Mathurin, resulting in a fall that caused the injury. Atkinson described the play as unfortunate, emphasizing that while he doesn’t believe the plays were dirty, the physicality in the game has crossed a line.
“I don’t think they were dirty plays, but I think it passed a line of physicality,” Atkinson explained. “Mobley was pushed off balance and tweaked his ankle pretty bad.” The Cavaliers are hoping to steal a win on their home court, despite the daunting challenge of facing the Pacers without three key contributors. Ty Jerome and Dean Wade will be stepping into the starting lineup to fill the gaps left by Garland and Mobley, respectively.
As the Cavaliers prepare for Game 2 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, they will need a collective effort to overcome the odds. Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs' leading scorer, will be expected to carry the load and inspire his teammates to rally. The pressure is on, and the stakes couldn’t be higher as Cleveland aims to even the series before it shifts back to Indiana for Game 3.
With the absence of their All-Stars, the Cavaliers will need to adjust their strategy and find new ways to score and defend against a formidable Pacers team that has already shown its strength. The Pacers, buoyed by their Game 1 victory, will be looking to capitalize on the Cavaliers’ misfortunes and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.
Game 2 is set to tip off at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TNT, truTV, and Max. The outcome of this pivotal matchup could determine the trajectory of the series as the Cavaliers fight to keep their championship aspirations alive. Fans are eager to see if Cleveland can rally together and pull off a much-needed victory, despite the challenges they face.
As the playoffs progress, the narrative surrounding the Cavaliers continues to evolve. Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, and how Cleveland responds in the face of adversity will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. Can the Cavs find a way to win without their stars, or will the Pacers continue to assert their dominance in this series? The answer lies just a few hours away as the teams prepare to clash once more on the court.
