The NBA Injury Report Is a Triage Log, and the Cavs-Hornets Game Is a Survivor Episode
Kenny Atkinson noted that Jarrett Allen is 'trending positive' in his return from injury.
The NBA injury report for November 9th just dropped, and it reads less like a daily basketball update and more like a triage log after a minor natural disaster. If you are trying to figure out who is actually playing basketball tonight, you might want to grab a highlighter and a pot of coffee.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets are leading the charge in roster depletion. Charlotte has already ruled out Brandon Miller, Dennis Schroder, and Grant Williams, effectively wiping out their core rotation before the arena doors even open.
Cleveland is not doing much better. Jarrett Allen is officially questionable with a knee issue, though head coach Kenny Atkinson recently claimed his big man is trending positive. Allen has already been battling through a previous rib injury, so his daily status is basically a coin flip at this point.
The real heartbreak for Cleveland is losing Jaylon Tyson to an ankle sprain. Tyson was in the middle of an absolute heater, averaging 21.3 points on nearly 64 percent shooting over his last four games. Going from a cervical strain to a bad ankle right when you find your rhythm is the kind of luck that makes you want to burn some sage in the locker room.
Add in Sam Merrill sitting out with an elbow injury and Nae'Qwan Tomlin sidelined by a bad back, and the Cavaliers are rapidly running out of warm bodies to put on the floor.
If you are looking at the betting lines for this matchup, you are no longer handicapping a professional basketball game. You are trying to predict which team's equipment manager has a more reliable corner three.
Keep an eye on the final inactive list before tipoff. If Allen ultimately sits, Cleveland's frontcourt is going to be completely hollowed out, turning this game into a chaotic track meet for whoever is left standing.