Cavs Reveal Final Injury Update Ahead of Friday's Showdown with Detroit Pistons

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The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without five expected every-night rotation players - James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Keon Ellis, Dean Wade, and Max Strus - for their Friday night matchup against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. Backup point guard Dennis Schroder will be available despite a sprained ankle, but the Cavs will be shorthanded for the nationally televised game.

Why it matters

The Cavaliers were hoping for an exciting national TV matchup against the conference-leading Pistons, but the rash of injuries has dampened those expectations. Cleveland will be missing key contributors on both ends of the floor, putting them at a significant disadvantage against one of the NBA's best teams.

The details

James Harden is out with a fractured right thumb that is making it difficult for him to grip the ball, while Donovan Mitchell suffered a strained groin in the team's previous game. Keon Ellis is dealing with a fractured left index finger, Dean Wade has a sprained ankle, and Max Strus has yet to make his season debut following offseason foot surgery. Despite the injuries, backup point guard Dennis Schroder will be available after spraining his ankle in the team's previous game.

• Harden and Mitchell will miss their second consecutive game on Friday.
• Ellis worked out on Friday morning but continued to feel pain and tightness, leading to the decision to hold him out.
• Wade's sprained ankle is not expected to keep him out long.
• Strus has yet to make his season debut following offseason foot surgery.

What’s next

Following Sunday's matinee against the Brooklyn Nets, the Cavs will have four days off, a break in the schedule that should allow these injuries to heal even more.