• Evan Mobley (ankle), De'Andre Hunter (thumb), and Darius Garland (toe) are all out for the Cavaliers in Game 2 against the Pacers.
• The Cavaliers lost Game 1 at home, increasing the importance of Game 2.
• Coach Kenny Atkinson voiced concerns about the level of physicality in Game 1 and its role in the injuries.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are dealing with a major injury crisis as they prepare for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup against the Indiana Pacers. After losing Game 1 at home, the Cavs now face the daunting task of trying to even the series without three key players: Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, valuable reserve De'Andre Hunter, and starting point guard Darius Garland. The absence of these players presents a significant challenge to Cleveland's chances of success in the game and potentially the series.

• What: Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and De'Andre Hunter are out for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Mobley suffered an ankle sprain, Hunter a dislocated thumb, and Garland a toe sprain.
• Who: Key individuals: Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, De'Andre Hunter, Kenny Atkinson, Myles Turner, Bennedict Mathurin. Organizations: Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, BetMGM.
• When: Game 2 is on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. The injuries to Mobley and Hunter occurred in the fourth quarter of Game 1 on Sunday.
• Where: Rocket Arena in downtown Cleveland (Game 2 location). Game 1 took place in Cleveland as well.

The absence of Mobley, Hunter, and Garland significantly weakens the Cavaliers on both ends of the court. Mobley's defensive presence will be sorely missed, while Hunter's scoring off the bench is a valuable asset. Garland's playmaking is also crucial to the Cavs' offense. Coach Atkinson's frustration with the officiating highlights the concern about the physicality of the series and its potential impact on player health. The Pacers' Game 1 victory and the Cavaliers' mounting injuries shift the momentum in favor of Indiana. The betting odds reflect the diminished expectations for Cleveland in Game 2.

"I don't think they were dirty plays, but I think it passed the line of physicality, that line we've kind of been talking about where it became excessive."

"Even if it’s not malice, we need to see our best players playing in the playoffs. This rhetoric going around, people say, ‘Oh man, that’s playoff basketball.’ To me, that’s not. As a stakeholder in this, we need to figure out what is acceptable."

"I'm good. I'm excited. It's going to be a good game,"

The Cleveland Cavaliers face a tough challenge in Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers. With three key players sidelined due to injury, the team must rely on its remaining players to step up and compensate for the losses. The outcome of Game 2 will be crucial in determining the direction of the series, and the Cavaliers need to find a way to overcome their injury woes and secure a victory at home. The series is going to test the depth and resilience of the Cavaliers, and the coaching staff will need to make tactical adjustments to maximize their chances of success.