When it comes to forwards, the Cleveland Cavaliers are out of power. Or more specifically, short-handed on power forwards after it was revealed over the weekend Larry Nance Jr. suffered a broken hand.
He reportedly was scheduled for surgery Monday is expected to miss up to six weeks.
Nance Jr. joined an injury list that already featured power forward Kevin Love, who has made just one appearance on the season. Love has been out with a calf strain. On the bright side, Love very well could return on the five-game swing through the West, which tips off Monday in Phoenix (9 p.m. EST).
Small forward Taurean Prince is again likely to fill in for Nance, Love and whoever else may be capable of playing power forward on the Cavs’ roster.
Equally as pressing is the fact the Cavs (10-14) have lost three straight and seven of nine. They now embark on a trip of five straight games against probable playoff teams, and again, all are on the road.
So they will miss Nance, who just happens to be third in the league in steals at 1.9 per game. Overall, he’s averaging 9.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and generally serving as the ultimate energy player.
“He’s one of the best in the league at getting deflections and getting steals and that obviously helps us get stops, but it also helps us create easy opportunities on the offensive end of the floor,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Nance. “His steals and deflections come from being in the right place at the right time and not gambling and putting himself out of position. He shores us up on both ends of the floor for sure.”
The Cavs could be right back in the playoff race at the end of this trip, provided they take care of business at home. Starting Feb. 17, they will play five of seven at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. That includes a stretch of four straight.
