Cleveland Cavaliers DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Evan Mobley (knee) went through a conditioning workout before Monday's 109-91 win over the Chicago Bulls, and he hasn't faced any setbacks with his projected six-to-eight-week recovery timetable from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The Cavaliers held Mobley out for four straight games due to injury management for the issue, but they later announced on Dec. 15 that he required a procedure to remove loose bodies from his knee. Mobley has been sidelined for about four weeks and remains out indefinitely, but he is progressing. The 22-year-old former No. 3 overall pick will need to be cleared for basketball activities before any return to game action, so it may not be reasonable to expect him back before January's end. Jarrett Allen has really gotten going in Mobley's absence, averaging 18.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.4 combined steals plus blocks over 13 games since Dec. 16.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (jaw), who has been out since Dec. 15 due to a fractured jaw, has received clearance to resume basketball activities. It's great news for patient fantasy managers and Garland, who was also a limited participant in pregame warmups before Monday's 109-91 win over the Chicago Bulls. Garland is expected to incrementally ramp up his activity over time, so he is likely to need about one week for a return to game action. The Cavaliers begin a four-game road trip on Saturday that ends on Jan. 26, and while it remains to be seen if the 23-year-old star playmaker will travel with them during that stretch, Garland should be able to rejoin the lineup by January's close. Caris LeVert should be held onto until then, averaging 18.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.5 treys, and 1.0 steals in 27.4 minutes in 12 appearances off Cleveland's bench since Dec. 16.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (knee) has been upgraded and will play on Monday night against the Chicago Bulls. The 27-year-old was only able to play around seven minutes in their last game against the Brooklyn Nets. This comes as great news since Darius Garland (jaw) remains sidelined. Strus will also remain in the starting five along with Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, and Jarrett Allen. He hasn't been delivering the same fantasy output that he was giving through the beginning of the season, but he should see a little boost against a weaker opponent and added minutes. Strus can still be started in 12-team leagues right now.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Max Strus (knee) was seen at the morning shootaround ahead of Monday's tilt versus the Chicago Bulls. Strus was held to just seven minutes of action in last Thursday's Paris win over the Brooklyn Nets due to soreness in his right knee, but the extra time off and his status at shootaround bode well for his chances of being available on Monday. The 27-year-old three-and-D wing is offering top-100 fantasy numbers in his first season with the Cavs as a full-time starter, playing in all 37 of their games while averaging 13.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.8 threes in 33.8 minutes. Sixth man Caris LeVert, who is already playing an augmented role with Darius Garland (jaw) on the shelf, would be in line for even more run potentially with the first unit if Strus is ultimately out on Monday, leaving behind additional minutes for the sharpshooting Sam Merrill with the reserves.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell put on a show for the fans in Paris as he put up a season-high in the 111-102 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in the Thursday afternoon matinee. He was able to score 45 points on 15-for-30 shooting and 11-for-13 from the charity stripe. He even added 12 rebounds, six assists, and four steals despite the seven turnovers. For an undersized guard who averages 4.3 rebounds per game for his career, a 12-rebound game was a pleasant surprise for anyone who had him in their fantasy lineup. Mitchell's value is at its peak right now as he operates the offense without Darius Garland (jaw) and Evan Mobley (knee).