Cavs Lose Another Key Player Facing Elimination Vs. Celtics In Game 5

Spencer Davies | May 15, 2024

May 5, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) and guard Darius Garland (10) celebrate during the second half against the Orlando Magic in game seven of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a laundry list of injuries as the second round of the NBA Playoffs nears its end.

Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen and Craig Porter Jr. are all out for Game 5 vs. Celtics. #Cavs

— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) May 15, 2024

Already down two All-Stars in Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, the fourth-seeded Cavs will be without their top sixth man in Caris LeVert, who suffered a bone bruise in his left knee during the first half of Game 4 on Monday night. Cleveland's swingman played through it and finished the game, but was clearly laboring after it occurred.

In addition to LeVert, Cavs rookie Craig Porter Jr. will also have to wait to make his NBA postseason debut. Porter, who hasn't seen live-game action since suffering a left ankle sprain in the regular-season finale vs. the Charlotte Hornets one month ago, was upgraded to doubtful until being ruled out before Wednesday's Game 5 in Boston.

May 5, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) and guard Darius Garland (10) celebrate during the second half against the Orlando Magic in game seven of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

It has not been an easy road for the wine-and-gold in the second round of the playoffs even at full health, so being down this many bodies ahead of a possible elimination at the hands of the Celtics has to be disappointing.

The Cavs are starting Darius Garland, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade and Evan Mobley on Wednesday night. With a key sixth man in LeVert out, Sam Merrill will likely see more playing time, in addition to Marcus Morris and Georges Niang. Tristan Thompson will presumably be the backup center as well.

Down 3-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals, if Cleveland drops tonight's contest, the 2023-24 campaign will come to a frustrating close.