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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets Injury Report and Predicted Starting Lineups- Latest Updates on LaMelo Ball, Sam Merrill, Donovan Mitchell, and Others

Garima Ranawat

Will LaMelo Ball play on Monday? Read on to know.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will lock horns with the Charlotte Hornets at home, Rocket Arena, on Monday, December 22. It will be the re-match of their previous NBA meeting that took place last week, and saw the Hornets capturing a convincing victory. During the game, Miles Bridges, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller dropped a combined 74-point effort, to guide Charlotte to another side of the victory line. For the Cavaliers, Darius Garland was the only player to drop 20+ points, while others, including Dean Wade, Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell, and Jaylon Tyson finished with double-digit scores. 

Talking about the upcoming game, the Cavaliers will head into the matchup on the back of a three-game losing streak. In their most-recent game, the Cavs suffered a 11-point loss to the Chicago Bulls and dropped their seasonal tally to 15-14. On the other hand, the Hornets are entering the matchup on the back of a blowout loss to the Detroit Pistons. 

Both teams are coming off losses, but given how the Cavaliers have significantly dropped recently, they would want to make a comeback and get back into winning momentum. As both teams gear up for an exciting clash, let’s get into their injury reports as well as predicted starting lineups. 

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets Injury Report

Here is a complete breakdown of the injury reports as well as expected starting lineups for the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets, scheduled on Monday. 

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Injuries 

Player PositionInjuryStatus 
Larry Nance JrPFCalf Out
Max Strus SGFootOut 
Sam Merrill SGHandProbable
Donovan Mitchell SGIllness Probable
Craig Porter JrPGIllness Questionable 
Evan Mobley PFCalf Out 

Larry Nance Jr is nursing a Grade 1 soleus strain, and will be out for a few days more. 

Max Strus underwent a left foot surgery in August this year, and is currently without a timetable for a return. 

Sam Merrill, who missed a month of action with a hand injury, could return on Monday against the Hornets. 

Donovan Mitchell could miss Monday’s game as well due to an illness. 

Craig Porter Jr could be back on Monday. He missed the last game with illness. 

Evan Mobley suffered a left calf strain and is expected to be out for at least two to four weeks. 

Charlotte Hornets’ Injuries 

Player PositionInjuryStatus 
LaMelo Ball PGWristProbable
Collin Sexton SGQuadricepsDoubtful
Ryan Kalkbrenner CElbow Questionable 
Grant Williams PFKneeOut 

LaMelo Ball is considered as probable to take the court on Monday after missing the last few games with a left ankle bone bruise. 

Collin Sexton has been listed as doubtful for Monday’s game due to quadriceps injury. 

Ryan Kalkbrenner is questionable for Monday’s game against the Cavs with a left elbow sprain. 

Grant Williams has been recovering from a right knee surgery since last season. He is nearing his return but will be out on Monday. 

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets Predicted Starting Lineups 

Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, Jaylon Tyson, Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill

Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges, Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.

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