Mobley and Garland return to starting lineup as Cavaliers try to cut into Pacers’ 2-0 series lead

By Canadian Press on May 9, 2025.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and All-Star guard Darius Garland are back in the starting lineup for the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.

Key backup De’Andre Hunter also is active after missing Game 2 with a sprained right thumb.

The announcement came about 30 minutes before the start of Game 3 at Indianapolis. The Pacers lead the Eastern Conference semifinal series 2-0.

Mobley missed Tuesday’s game with a sprained left ankle. Garland missed each of the Cavs’ four previous postseason games with a sprained big toe on his left foot.

Coach Kenny Atkinson wouldn’t say whether any of the three would be on minute restrictions, though he seemed most concerned with Garland because of much time he’s missed recently.

The Pacers have taken advantage of Cleveland’s injuries by using their depth to pull away late in Game 1 and rallying from a seven-point deficit in the final minute to take Game 3 on Tyrese Haliburton’s 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

The Associated Press

12
-11