After several weeks of rehabbing his injured right ankle, Lauri Markkanen is eager to help the Cavaliers make a playoff push, as Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com relays. Markkanen suffered a high ankle sprain on Jan. 22 against Oklahoma City and has missed Cleveland’s last 11 games.
Markkanen was a full participant in practice Wednesday and is listed as probable for the team’s game Thursday. A source told Fedor that the Cavs are preparing as if the forward will return Thursday at Detroit. Markkanen said he was relieved that the injury wasn’t as serious as he initially thought and is excited to be back.
“I’m excited,” Markkanen said when asked about his impending return. “We always talk about playing meaningful games after the All-Star break and it’s definitely every game matters. I just love doing it with these guys and can’t wait to get out there.
“We have a great group of guys and we’re a great team. We just have to bring it every night, no matter who we are playing and we gotta play Cavaliers basketball every night. I think we’re going to be fine if we do that and play together. We definitely need everybody at this point of the year. Going to need everybody’s contribution on the court. Have to be focused, especially with Eastern Conference being so tight. Every game matters. Have to be locked in.”
The Cavs currently hold the fourth seed in the East with a 35-23 record.
Here’s more from Cleveland:
- While the team received good news with Markkanen’s return appearing imminent, Cleveland will be without Darius Garland and Caris LeVert on Thursday, Fedor writes in a separate article for Cleveland.com. Garland continues to have lower back soreness, while LeVert suffered a sprained right foot after he stepped on a teammate’s foot during Tuesday’s practice.
- Sources tell Fedor that LeVert’s injury isn’t serious and he’s considered day-to-day. He did not practice on Wednesday. During the All-Star break, coach J.B. Bickerstaff had been contemplating starting the newly-acquired LeVert alongside Garland in the backcourt. Bickerstaff is still trying to figure out where LeVert is most comfortable on the court. “Had some conversations about where he’s comfortable, where he likes the ball, places where he’s had most success in his past,” Bickerstaff said. “I think we have a great understanding of how we can get it done. The next thing becomes actually going out and doing it. That involves the other four guys that are on the floor with him, and understanding how they build that chemistry. Our picture is clear, we just need the experience and the minutes together to make it successful.” Developing that chemistry will have to wait with LeVert sidelined.
- Garland’s situation is much trickier, Fedor details. He was able to participate in All-Star weekend, where he was named to the team for the first time, but his lower back will need to be managed for the remainder of the season, sources tell Fedor. Garland has been dealing with the soreness since Jan. 9, and the pain can pop up during any type of contact. With the nature of his injury, in most cases Garland would need two weeks of rest to allow for proper healing, treatment and recovery, per Fedor’s sources. However, Garland doesn’t want to miss that much time, and the Cavs need him to win games. They will continue to closely monitor how he’s feeling and try to give him rest days during the season so he’s in good shape for the playoffs — assuming they make it.
I get Garland was a first time all star so he was excited, but it seems unbelievably stupid if his injury takes 2 weeks to heal to not just rest that week and take another week off and be 100% for a playoff run.
Agreed, but he’s young and it was his first all-star game in his team’s city. It is what it is.
Adding Markanen back to the front court rotation is huge.. Back to the Tri-Towers !..
This is why I think it’s asinine to even consider moving Sexton. There simply isn’t enough high level depth at the guard position to move on. He’s not a point guard but he did average 4.4 assists last year and can initiate the offense. Plus he and Garland are the only guys who can go end to end and get you a bucket when needed. I hope these guys are back soon at 100% health.
Markane was supposed to break out this year according to NY experts.
instead he has the worst 3p %,rebounds and per of his career. I still like the kid, but some people will go to lengths to blame the Bulls
I mean his numbers are fairly consistent with his career numbers, and if you assume that last year’s 3PT% was an outlier (he won’t shoot above 40% again), he’s shooting pretty consistently with how he has the rest of his career.
He’s also playing an entirely new position and has improved as a defender. I don’t think the Bulls should get any credit for him not breaking out this year when it’s possible that this is just the player he is moving forward.
Rebounding and per are the worst of his career. I love the guy being European and all but he wanted to be a focal point of offence and he’s not delivering
Despite having injuries to Sexton and Rubio and others, I think JB is my coach of the year. It’s a 3 man race with JB, Donovan and Taylor Jenkins. All three teams have exceeded their potential and projection this year.