Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell is expected to be sidelined for at least another week after breaking his nose during Cleveland's recent game against the Houston Rockets. The injury occurred when Mitchell was accidentally struck by teammate Tristan Thompson while both players were going after a loose ball.
Following the incident, Mitchell underwent a procedure at the Cleveland Clinic to realign his nose. He will be reevaluated in approximately one week to determine his readiness to return to the court.
As a result of the broken nose and a bruised left knee, Mitchell sat out of the Cavaliers' game against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night. The knee issue has been a persistent concern for Mitchell, causing him to miss multiple games since the All-Star break.
Despite receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection earlier in March to aid in his recovery, Mitchell has been struggling to regain his usual level of performance. The 27-year-old guard is averaging 27.4 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game in his second season with Cleveland.
In addition to Mitchell's absence, the Cavaliers have been dealing with injuries to key players such as Evan Mobley (ankle) and Max Strus (knee). Despite these challenges, Cleveland has managed to maintain a competitive position in the Eastern Conference, currently holding a 43-25 record and trailing the Milwaukee Bucks by just one game for the No. 2 spot.
The Cavaliers are set to face the Miami Heat at home on Wednesday as they continue to navigate through a series of injuries and strive to secure a strong playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
For more NBA news and updates, visit AP NBA.
