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Early NBA Rookie of the Year frontrunner Evan Mobley could miss up to a month of action after suffering an elbow sprain.
Mobley – the third overall draft pick – has settled seamlessly into the professional environment with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Immediately installed into the Cavaliers’ starting line-up, Mobley has averaged 14.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals through 15 games.
The former USC forward leads all rookies in minutes (506), points (219) and rebounds (120). He ranks joint-fourth in the entire league for dunks (32).
But Mobley’s momentum will be slowed now by a spell on the sidelines following an injury sustained in Monday’s defeat to the Boston Celtics.
“Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley left Monday night’s game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse against Boston in the third quarter with a right elbow injury and did not return to action,” a Cavs statement read on Tuesday.
“Initial examination postgame and an MRI administered today at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health confirmed a right elbow sprain.
“Mobley will now undergo a period of treatment and rehabilitation and his return to play will be approximately two-four weeks. His status will be updated as appropriate.”
Monday’s game was the second of back-to-back encounters against Eastern Conference rivals the Celtics, which produced mixed results for Mobley.
The rookie played a huge role in a comeback win in their first meeting, scoring 12 fourth-quarter points as Cleveland recovered from 19 down.
However, on Monday, Mobley endured by far the worst shooting performance of his young NBA career prior to exiting injured.
He made zero of 11 field-goal attempts, scoring only a single point from the free throw line. He did add nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks.
No other player in the NBA this season has attempted as many as 11 field goals in a game without making any.
