Cleveland Cavaliers star forward Evan Mobley suffered a Grade 1 left calf strain during Friday’s win over the Washington Wizards and is expected to miss about two to four weeks, the team announced Saturday.
Evan Mobley Has Missed Only One Game
The injury was discovered following postgame evaluation of tightness in that area. An MRI conducted Saturday morning confirmed a Grade 1 strain.
This marks the second time Mobley has dealt with calf issues this calendar year. The former first-round pick missed four straight games in January due to a right calf strain.
Through 25 outings (all starts) this season, Mobley is averaging a career-high 19.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 34.2 minutes per game while shooting a career-low 49.6% from the field and 35.2% from deep.
He has missed only one game so far this campaign.
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 13, 2025
Per Basketball Reference, Mobley ranks eighth in total rebounds (232), 17th in offensive rebounds (64), seventh in defensive boards (168), and sixth in blocks (41).
His 70.5 touches per game trail only Donovan Mitchell (76.5) for the team lead.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year makes Cleveland a better team especially on the defensive side. The Cavaliers’ defense is 2.9 points per 100 possessions worse when Mobley is off the court.
Jarrett Allen, Larry Nance Jr. Remain Out
The Cavs are already dealing with other injuries in their frontcourt.
Starting center Jarrett Allen remains sidelined with a right finger strain that has sidelined for all but one game since Nov. 19, while backup big man Larry Nance Jr. also has a calf strain and hasn’t played since Nov. 28.
In addition, six-year veteran forward Max Strus has yet to make his season debut.
The Cavs announced in August that Strus would undergo surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his left foot and would miss approximately three to four months.
The Cavaliers (15-11) have lost five of their past eight games.
Cleveland’s next five games include a home matchup with the Charlotte Hornets, a road game at the Chicago Bulls, a home meeting with the Bulls, and a home back-to-back against the Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans.
