CLEVELAND, Ohio — The challenge for the Cavs to get out of this extended funk has gotten even greater.
Star guard Donovan Mitchell, listed as questionable going into Friday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls, will be out because of an illness.
Rookie second-round pick Tyrese Proctor is likely to make his first career start.
“We’re going to have to weather some more storms, some more clouds,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said before the game. It’s a great challenge for us. I always say they’re program builders. See what you got. See how your young guys are progressing. We’ll be motivated after getting our tails kicked the other night.”
Mitchell began feeling under the weather two days ago while the team was in Chicago, but he battled through and played, finishing with a game-high 32 points in the 127-111 loss. Atkinson said Mitchell got worse and could not participate in shootaround Friday, leading to his latest absence.
It will be Mitchell’s third missed game this season.
Reserve guard Craig Porter Jr. apparently caught the same bug and was sent home. He is also out.
That will leave Cleveland, which has lost seven of the last 10, incredibly undermanned.
Evan Mobley (calf strain), Max Strus (foot surgery), Larry Nance Jr. (calf strain) and Sam Merrill (sprained hand) are also unavailable. As a result, not only will Atkinson be forced to use a 14th different starting lineup, but two-way forward Luke Travers has been recalled from the G League Showcase in Florida.
