The Cavs have been one of the biggest surprises of the season, tearing through the competition and locking up the division in March. But with the playoffs approaching, their momentum is being tested—most recently by Evan Mobley‘s health.

Mobley has played in 59 of the Cavs’ 67 games this season, proving himself indispensable on both ends of the floor. Head coach Kenny Atkinson knows his value. But after missing Sunday’s game against Orlando with a right foot contusion, Mobley is listed as questionable again for tonight’s matchup against the Clippers.

The Cavs have been cautious with injuries all season, and with the playoffs on the horizon, there’s little reason to rush him back. That said, ‘The 216’ could certainly use him. Four of their 11 losses have come in games Mobley has missed, including a December loss to the Miami Heat when he exited early with an ankle sprain. Moreover, his presence as a Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner and a growing two-way star makes him one of the team’s most crucial pieces.

Mobley’s been averaging 18.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 56.8 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from 3-point range. His ability to stretch the floor and facilitate offense has been a key factor in Donovan Mitchell’s dominance. But without him against Orlando, Cleveland struggled to find answers when their three-point shot wasn’t falling. Mobley’s interior scoring gives them an extra offensive layer, helping them maintain the second-highest scoring average in the league.

“He’s kind of a wing/big. Is that possible? Because he’s handling the ball a lot more. So to me, that means you [have] wing characteristics,” says Cavs coach Atkinson. If he does end up playing against the Clippers, he’ll be one of the pillars to help them bounce back from an unlikely loss.

Clippers game a moral boost for Cavs

Heading into the game against the Orlando Magic, the Wine and Gold merchants thought themselves to be vulnerable. Their 16-game win streak was their best in franchise history. Guard Donovan Mitchell has no signs of slowing down. But you know what they say about overconfidence.

Kenny talked about their ball movement not being up to the mark—which could explain the hole left gaping due to Mobley’s absence. But he did end up crediting Magic’s defense against one of the league’s best attacks. “That’s their identity… they’re a well-coached defensive team. They stay at home on your drives. A lot of teams help in on the penetration because they’re in a drop, and they got the big back there,” Atkinson explained.

Kenny’s priority remains keeping Mobley fresh for the postseason. If that means sitting him tonight, the Cavs will lean on their depth—Jarrett Allen, De’Andre Hunter, Dean Wade, and Tristan Thompson—to hold down the fort. Cleveland has built itself into a legitimate title contender, and while Mobley’s presence is a game-changer, this team has the pieces to keep rolling either way.