Cleveland Cavaliers DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (ankle) was considered doubtful to return for Thursday's game after suffering an injury in the third quarter. The big man returned to the bench but didn't check back into Thursday's game. The Cavs are already without Evan Mobley (knee) so losing Allen puts them in a bad spot. Damian Jones figures to see a spike in playing time if Allen is forced to miss time. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update on Allen's status.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (knee) is out for Thursday's tilt against the Memphis Grizzlies. This is a bit of a surprise, considering head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said following Wednesday's win over the Detroit Pistons that the plan was for Mobley to play on Thursday. The Cavs will instead err on the side of caution and manage the left knee of the 22-year-old former No. 3 overall pick, who had been sidelined since early December before returning to play on Monday following arthroscopic surgery. Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro are candidates to return to Cleveland's starting five against Memphis, with the latter being the more attractive fantasy option as a low-end streamer. Over 24 games as a starter this season, Okoro has averaged 10.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 threes.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (jaw) will play in Wednesday's tilt versus the Detroit Pistons. Sidelined since mid-December with a fractured jaw, Garland makes his highly-anticipated return to the hardwood after participating in Wednesday's morning shootaround. The matchup against the Pistons is an appetizing one for Garland, but even though he's rejoining Cleveland's starting group in place of Isaac Okoro right off the bat, the 24-year-old star playmaker is still risky in DFS due to the risk of his minutes being monitored in a game with blowout potential. The red-hot Cavs are glad to have Garland's 20.7 points, 5.9 assists, 1.8 three-pointers, and 1.6 steals per game back in their dynamic backcourt alongside superstar Donovan Mitchell, however, and so should season-long fantasy managers.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (jaw) was with the team as Wednesday morning's shootaround wrapped up, and he was wearing a starter's practice jersey. Garland intends to return to game action and appears to be on the verge of ending an absence lasting a month and a half due to a fractured jaw, but he remains formally listed as questionable for Wednesday's game versus the Detroit Pistons. The 24-year-old star point guard is averaging 20.7 points on 47.0% field-goal shooting, 5.9 assists, 1.8 three-pointers, and 1.6 steals through 20 games this year for the surging Cavs. Assuming Garland returns to Cleveland's starting five if available on Wednesday, look for swingman Isaac Okoro to revert back to the second unit.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (jaw), who has been out since Dec. 14 with a fractured jaw, plans to return on Wednesday versus the Detroit Pistons. The Cavs are 10-2 in the new year and are set to return to full strength with Evan Mobley and now Garland back in the starting five. The 24-year-old All-Star is averaging 20.7 points, 5.9 assists, 1.8 treys, and 1.6 steals across 20 games and is likely to face a minute restriction when he returns, while Isaac Okoro should move back to Cleveland's bench.