The Cleveland Cavaliers remain atop the NBA standings nearly two months into the season. While they have cooled off after their 15-0 start, the Cavaliers still own a 23-4 record, which is the best in the league. Furthermore, their 121.3 ORTG is the best in the NBA as well. After a second-round playoff exit followed by a rumor-filled offseason, few in the NBA world expected the Cavaliers to be this good to start the season. They have won six of their last seven games and look to continue to build off their momentum. However, at least for the next couple of weeks, they will have to do it without Isaac Okoro.
In an official team press release, the Cavaliers announced that Okoro suffered a right shoulder injury in their win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 19, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Okoro joins Max Strus (who could make his season debut any day), Craig Porter Jr., Luke Travers, and Jaylon Tyson on the Cavaliers’ injury report.
Isaac Okoro to Miss Multiple Weeks Due to Injury
Isaac Okoro’s Season So Far Before the Injury
Now in his fifth season with the Cavaliers, Okoro is enjoying another solid campaign with the team. After coming off the bench during the team’s first seven games, the Cavaliers inserted Okoro in the starting lineup. In 23 total games, the Atlanta native is averaging 6.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Furthermore, he is shooting 49.5% from the field and 49.2% from the three-point line, which are both career-highs for Okoro.
A few months ago, head coach Kenny Atkinson spoke about wanting to unlock Okoro’s full potential and “diversify his game” (subscription required).
“I do think we need to diversify his game,” Atkinson said of Okoro. “You ask him, ‘I’m defense first. It’s my strength.’ So, we need to double down on that. But I think we use him as a cutter more, slasher and offensive rebounding. I think those are two areas we can raise his game.” Atkinson also mentioned the desire to dabble with Okoro as a screener in the pick-and-roll, getting him the ball in the pocket and allowing him to use his size and deft finishing to attack the rim and score or become a secondary playmaker.
The 23-year-old is a talented basketball player who has yet to hit his peak. He is a valuable asset to the Cavaliers who plays his role very well.
The Last Word On the Cleveland Cavaliers
With Okoro out for the next couple of weeks, the Cavaliers will likely take a hit on the court. This is especially true on the defensive side of the ball. Regardless, they are the top team in the NBA for a reason. There is plenty of talent on the roster who all gel well with one another. The Cavaliers will have a potentially difficult schedule ahead of them, facing the Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, and Golden State Warriors before the start of the new year. However, the Cavaliers have given fans little reason to doubt them up to this point.
The post Cleveland Cavaliers Starter to Miss Multiple Weeks Due to Injury appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.