Cavaliers' Depth Being Tested Early In Season

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to deal with a number of injuries to their roster.

J.B. Bickerstaff boasted during training camp that the Cleveland Cavaliers could realistically have an 11-man rotation when the season started. 

Now, we're three games in and the team is turning to their two-way players in order to give other rotation players rest during a game. The key reason for this is the number of injuries already present on the roster.

Who's Hurt?

Jarrett Alen missed all four preseason games, has yet to play in the regular season, and remains out due to a bone bruise in his foot.

Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell were absent in Cleveland's loss to the Indiana Pacers and Garland has already been ruled out while Mitchell remains questionable for for the Cavaliers' highly anticipated Halloween matchup with the New York Knicks. 

The Cavs will also be without their backup point guard as Ty Jerome will miss Tuesday night's game with an ankle sprain.

It's one thing if one of these players were out or if the Cavs were able to work around it. However, these are star players who are integral to Cleveland's scheme and success on the floor.

Challenges Cavs' Injuries Create

J.B. Bickerstaff had to start Caris LeVert at the point guard on Saturday night because he had no one else who could play the position. To LeVert's credit, he had a tremendous game dropping 31 points.

Oct 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers forward Bruce Brown (11) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports / © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The other challenge Cleveland is now facing as they work to get its roster healthy is overworking players too early in the season. This in itself could inadvertently create more injuries.

Max Strus is averaging 39.3 minutes per game (highest on the roster), LeVert is playing 35.7 minutes a game, Evan Mobley is up to 33.7 and Isaac Okoro is on the floor for 31.7 minutes a night. This isn't sustainable for the Cavs or Bickerstaff even though it's no one's fault. 

The Cavs will hopefully get back to full strength soon. But how long will Cleveland's depth need to hold down the fort until that happens?