The Cavaliers have been navigating a season filled with injuries and lineup changes, but Sunday offers a rare advantage-they’re the healthier squad heading into their matchup against the Thunder.
This is significant because Oklahoma City is dealing with a depleted roster. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is sidelined with an abdominal strain and won't be re-evaluated until next week. Jalen Williams is also out due to a hamstring issue, leaving the Thunder without their top two scoring options.
Adding to their challenges, Oklahoma City will miss Alex Caruso and Ajay Mitchell, further thinning their rotation.
On the flip side, the Cavs are in a relatively good place. While Max Strus remains out with a foot injury, Evan Mobley, who was rested on Friday, is expected to be back in action. This is one of the cleanest injury reports Cleveland has seen in a while.
However, the game won’t be a walk in the park. The Thunder still boast a tough defense anchored by Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, with Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace providing tenacious perimeter defense. Dort, in particular, has been a thorn in Donovan Mitchell’s side in past encounters.
While the Thunder's offensive creation will be limited without their stars, newcomer Jared McCain brings some speed and scoring ability off the bench. This scenario tilts the odds in Cleveland's favor, but it won’t be a straightforward task.