The Cleveland Cavaliers have dealt with injuries to key members of their bench unit all season, but after Friday’s game against the New York Knicks, the team is fully healthy. Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro returned this week after lengthy injuries had them sidelined for nearly a month. Cleveland already boasted one of the deepest rosters in the NBA, but now finally healthy gives them 12-13 players who could play consistently. Let’s dive into how Wade and Okoro returning will help the Cavs.
Cavs Finally Back to Full Strength
Heading into the season, head coach Kenny Atkinson admired the Cavs’ depth and made it a key to ‘celebrate’ his team’s depth. He has done so this season as through 56 games, Cleveland has 12 players currently playing at least nine minutes per night. Additionally, the Cavs’ depth has saved their starters from playing long minutes. Cleveland’s core four players are playing no more than 31.2 minutes per game. In comparison, all five starters on the Knicks average at least 34.9 minutes per game.
While there could be no correlation between managing minutes in the regular season and playoff success, Atkinson and his staff’s ability to save their key players as much as possible during the regular season has the potential to pay dividends. In the playoffs, all starters will see their minutes skyrocket, and Cleveland can withstand those games.
Key Returners
Getting Wade and Okoro back into the rotation is huge for Cleveland. Both players are likely to feature as the primary on-ball defender in any playoff series the Cavs play. That will mean guarding Jalen Brunson, Jayson Tatum, and all other team’s best player. With Wade and Okoro on the court, the Cavs’ defensive and net rating improves showcasing their value. Across the whole of the season, Cleveland is eighth in defensive rating, highlighting their importance.
Furthermore, the Cavs signed Javonte Green after he was bought out by the New Orleans Pelicans. Green is a phenomenal defender who will fit the mold of the Cavs bench extremely well. Green will help the Cavs stay in the top 10 in defensive efficiency while adding shooting to the best offense in the NBA. The Cavs rank second in FG% and first in 3P%. Cleveland is also first in points per game tied with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Javonte Green is a 6’5″ forward who plays much bigger than his height. A 7’0″ wingspan and elite athleticism helps
Active defender who generates steals and rebounds
98th percentile in DEF versatility
— Tony Pesta (@Tony_Pesta) February 20, 2025
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The Last Word
Ironically, the Cavs could enter action on Sunday night against the Grizzlies without both Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland with small injuries. However, those injuries are not major concerns and both guys will be in the lineup later in the week if not on Sunday. We are about two months out from the playoffs, it will be key for the Cavs to integrate Green into the rotation before the playoffs begin. As well, defense wins championships as they say, Cleveland’s defensive rotation in the playoffs will make them a threat to any team they play in the Spring. Finally, their health will also pay dividends if they enter the postseason with a fully healthy roster, paired with their elite play.
Photo credit: © Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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