Cavaliers injury updates: Are Evan Mobley, De'Andre Hunter, and Darius Garland playing in Game 3 vs. Pacers?

The Cavaliers dominated the regular season but have run into problems in the second round of the playoffs against the Pacers. Indiana returns home with a 2-0 series lead, forcing the Cavaliers to win at least one road game to guarantee the series returns to Cleveland. 

However, the Cavs haven't been at full strength this series. Cleveland has been dealing with injuries to Evan Mobley, De'Andre Hunter, and Darius Garland. Despite there being some optimism for Garland, he, along with Mobley and Hunter, missed the Game 2 loss to the Pacers. 

With Cleveland's back against the wall, here are the latest injury updates for Garland, Mobley, and Hunter and whether they will be able to suit up for a critical Game 3 against Indiana. 

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Cavaliers injury updates

Will Darius Garland play in Game 3 vs. Pacers?

Garland was the surprising scratch from Game 2. He has been dealing with a sprained toe, but ahead of tip-off of Game 2, there was optimism that he was going to be able to play. That lasted throughout the day until he didn't come out for warm-ups at his usual time. Garland suffered the injury during the first round and has missed four playoff games in a row. 

There has been mounting pressure for Garland to play. With the losses in the second round mounting, many critics have pleaded with him to suck it up and play through whatever pain he may be dealing with. The Athletic's Joe Vardon said one source told him that Garland "doesn't have a choice" and has to play in Game 3. 

If Garland doesn't suit up for the fifth consecutive game, Ty Jerome will likely fill in again. The backup point guard played 28 minutes in Game 2, but struggled shooting, finishing with only two points on 14 shots. 

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Will Evan Mobley play in Game 3 vs. Pacers?

Mobley injured his lower leg in the fourth quarter of Game 1 against Indiana. Head coach Kenny Atkinson said that before the team left for Indiana, all three players, including Mobley, participated in a walkthrough. The Cavaliers forward, like Garland and Hunter, is expected to be listed as "questionable" for Game 3, but there is optimism that he will play. 

Atkinson says that Mobley hurt his ankle on this play in the fourth quarter last night. pic.twitter.com/tq366xPiml

With Mobley missing in action in Game 2, Dean Wade got the start. He played 30 minutes, and had three points, 10 rebounds and three assists. 

Will De'Andre Hunter play in Game 3 vs. Pacers?

Like Mobley, Hunter also got hurt in Game 1 of the second-round series against the Pacers. He went up for a dunk but was fouled and landed hard. It was described that the big man "fell out of the sky on a dunk attempt." Hunter dislocated his thumb and wasn't able to play in Game 2. 

This was ruled a clean block by Bennedict Mathurin and upheld as clean after review pic.twitter.com/QiGIyjV1F3

Hunter is the only one of the injured trio who isn't a regular starter for Cleveland. Still, he provides important depth off the bench. Without him, Isaac Okoro has seen his minutes rise. He played 32 minutes in Game 2 and had five points, two rebounds and one assist.  

Note: These statuses will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.