NBA playoffs: Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen to miss Game 4 vs. Celtics
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell will miss Monday's Game 4 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics with a calf strain.
The Cavaliers announced their starting lineup in the hour before tipoff absent Mitchell, who was previously listed as questionable with a calf strain. Starting center Jarrett Allen will remain out of the lineup with a rib injury that's sidelined him since Game 5 against the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs.
The Cavaliers will start Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro and Evan Mobley on Monday night. Mitchell's and Allen's absences mark a significant blow for a Cavs team that enters Monday trailing the series, 2-1.
A five-time All-Star, Mitchell is Cleveland's best player and has thrived in the postseason. In 10 playoff games this postseason, Mitchell has averaged 29.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 47.6% from the floor and 35.4% from 3-point distance.
Mitchell scored at least 29 points in each of the three previous playoff games against the Celtics, including a 29-point, eight-assist, seven-rebound effort in Cleveland's Game 2 upset at Boston. It isn't immediately clear when or if Mitchell can to return to the series.
The continued absence of Allen — a 2022 All-Star — also puts Cleveland at a significant disadvantage. Cleveland's primary post presence, Allen averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game during the regular season.
