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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Cleveland Cavaliers are all set to face Phoenix Suns tonight, but whether they are all geared up for the face-off is still a suspense. Cavaliers have suffered a major blow ever since their 5x All-Star guard, Donovan Mitchell, has suffered a knee injury. He has missed 6 games since his injury and fans expect him to return for tonight’s game.

However, the fans may have to face disappointment once again. It is being said that it is unlikely for Spida to make a return in today’s match, which will mark him missing 7 games straight. According to the report by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, Mitchell’s knee is making progress, but he is expected to stay out for Monday’s game against the Suns. This comes after the Cavaliers guard has already missed the team’s previous four games.

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As per the NBA’s official injury report, Mitchell is currently dealing with left knee soreness. He had sustained during the last week of February. His last match was against the Chicago Bulls. Spida was first listed on Cleveland’s injury report with knee soreness ahead of its match with the Detroit Pistons, which was held on March 1.

Mitchel, although is participating in on-court activities, was reevaluated over the weekend to gauge the kind of progress he has made on his left knee bone bruise after his platelet-rich plasma injection. Even if he does not show up Monday night, he might potentially make a comeback against the Pelicans or the Rockets later this week.

How does Donovan Mitchell’s absence the affect Cavaliers?

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The 5x All-star has been an instrumental player for his team this season. While the luck has not favored the Cavaliers in terms of injuries, Spida has been the team’s major source of hope. He has had an impressive average of 28.0 points per game with 6.2 assists. His field goal percentage has also been at an impressive 47.2.

Donovan leads the team standings in terms of both points and assists per game. In fact, the Cavaliers score 4.8 points more per game with him on the floor as compared to when he’s not playing. And even though the 27-year-old player may not be the best there is at defense, he still makes a significant difference in that department as well. Cleveland holding opponents to 8.3 fewer points when he is on the court is a testament to this fact.

This being said, Donovan Mitchell’s absence from the team and its impact on the team’s performance is very visible. The last match the Cavaliers played provides a recent example of this. Despite being the third in the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers lost to a number 11 team in the conference, Brooklyn Nets. In fact, even in the previous three matches against the Nets, the team has secured only one win where they did not have to struggle. They lost to the Atlanta Hawks by 112-101. And only somehow managed to win against Boston Celtics with just a 1-point difference (105-104). These records depict how badly the Cavaliers need their 27-year-old player fully recovered.

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All hopes for the Cavaliers are placed on the speedy recovery of Donovan Mitchell and a return to the court as soon as possible.

Read More: Cavs Injury Report: Latest Darius Garland Shocker Could Hamper Cleveland’s Playoff Hopes