The question around the Cleveland Cavaliers since their playoff disappointment last season against the Indiana Pacers has been centered around this: can this squad get over the playoff hump?
During the Donovan Mitchell era, the Cavs have been one of the more winningest regular season teams in the sport. Only the Celtics and Thunder have more regular season wins than them. However, Cleveland is only 11-15 in the playoffs, including two consecutive second-round exits.
They made significant moves at the trade deadline by trading way Darius Garland for James Harden, and De’Andre Hunter for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis. Both moves look to be benefitting the Cavs thus far, and this team has been amongst the NBA’s best since the new year. There is one factor though that stands in the way of Cleveland achieving its goals.
The Cavs cannot let history repeat itself with the injury bug
Injury luck is one thing that you cannot control in sports. Cleveland learned this the hard way last playoffs.
After having a pretty clean bill of health during the regular season, the Cavs broke down at the worst possible time. Garland, Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter were all dealing with lower-body injuries against the Pacers, and because of that, Cleveland could not recover.
History is in danger of repeating itself again this season. Both Harden and Ellis are dealing with fractured fingers, Mitchell is nursing a groin strain, Max Strus has yet to play this season because of a foot injury, and Dean Wade is currently out due to an ankle sprain.
The good news is that the Cavs still have about two months until the playoffs start. They would rather have this happen now than in April. They also have a lighter schedule in March, with a four day break coming up next week and multiple stretches of two days off. Cleveland also has one of the league’s easier schedules down the stretch.
Given how wide-open the East is, seeding shouldn’t be the Cavs’ priority. They need to be healthy if they want to make a deep run. They have the talent to beat anyone in the conference and get to the Finals. Cleveland has shown time and time again this season that they can hang with the best in the conference.
The time is now for the Cavs to get over the playoff hump. This may be their one shot and they must do everything possible to ensure injuries do not get in the way again.