The Indiana Pacers are currently up 2-0 in their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers and will have an opportunity to take a commanding 3-0 lead on Friday night. This series will head to Indiana, where the Pacers are 3-0 this postseason, for the first time.
Whichever team wins this series will punch their ticket to the conference finals. The Pacers made it to the conference finals last year before getting swept by the eventual champion Boston Celtics. As for Cleveland, they have not made a conference finals appearance since 2018, where they also took on the Celtics and beat them in seven games.
Game 3 is a pivotal game for both teams, but especially so for Cleveland. Here is the full injury report ahead of Game 3, including updates on Cavaliers All-Stars, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley.
Pacers Game 3 injury report vs. Cavaliers
- Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) - OUT
There are no surprises on the Pacers' injury report. Backup big man Isaiah Jackson suffered a season-ending Achilles tear early in the campaign, and he will not suit up in the playoffs.
Cavaliers Game 3 injury report vs. Pacers
- Darius Garland (toe) - AVAILABLE
- De'Andre Hunter (thumb) - AVAILABLE
- Evan Mobley (ankle) - AVAILABLE
Darius Garland has not played in the series yet, and he has missed each of Cleveland's last four games due to a toe injury. However, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, Garland, along with De'Andre Hunter and Evan Mobley, will all make their return on Friday. All three players were initially listed as questionable on Cleveland's injury report. It is unclear, however, if any of the three will be on any type of minutes restriction in Game 3.
Hunter, who the team acquired from the Atlanta Hawks ahead of February's trade deadline, missed Cleveland's Game 2 loss due to a thumb injury. Through five games so far this postseason, Hunter is shooting 60% from the three-point line, which is the highest mark for all players in the playoffs.
The Cavaliers were also without Mobley in Game 2 as he suffered an ankle injury during their Game 1 loss. Mobley, who took home this year's Defensive Player of the Year award, is crucial to Cleveland's success. They missed him a lot in their Game 2 loss, so having him back on the court will provide a huge boost for the Cavaliers.