Isaac Okoro to miss second straight game
The Cavs will be without Okoro for Sunday’s matchup with the Heat.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will once again be without their most used starting lineup as Isaac Okoro will be missing Cleveland’s matchup with the Miami Heat tonight. This is the second straight game he’s missed with a left knee contusion.
Okoro initially injured his knee in Thursday’s win over the Denver Nuggets. He didn’t start the second half with the rest of the starters. Okoro was initially listed as questionable for Saturday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets until eventually being ruled out.
Kenny Atkinson said after the victory over Denver that he didn’t believe Okoro was seriously injured.
“He told me it’s nothing important,” Atkinson said. “I think it’ll be alright.”
Okoro has started 14 games for the Cavs. The lineup of him, Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen have had tremendous success this season. They’re outscoring opponents by 10.8 points (89th percentile) per 100 possessions with a 124.3 offensive rating (96th percentile) and 113.5 defensive rating (59th percentile).
Dean Wade will presumably replace Okoro in the starting lineup once again. Wade had a solid game as a starter on Saturday as he contributed seven points, but more importantly, attempted six tripes while providing good defense.
Lineups with Wade as the starting three haven’t been as good. Units with Wade in place of Okoro have only registered a 5.7 net rating (74th percentile) with a mediocre offensive rating (113.5) and an elite defense rating (107.7).
The Cavs will also be without Craig Porter Jr. (illness), Max Struss (ankle), and Emoni Bates (knee). Jimmy Butler is probable to play for the Heat.