On Sunday, November 30, the Cavaliers hosted the Celtics. Unfortunately, Cleveland lost 117-115 to Boston. That was their third consecutive loss, and the team now has a 12-9 record.Â
They are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference after a rough stretch. Over the weekend, it was reported that a few Cavaliers players are dealing with injuries. That includes Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill, and Larry Nance Jr. for Cleveland. Who will step up for the Cavaliers with Allen, Merrill, and Nance set to miss time?
Cleveland will be without three key role players due to injury
Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill, Larry Nance To Miss Time For Cavs https://t.co/a5QuOqAQEU
— RealGM (@RealGM) November 30, 2025
Against the Celtics on Sunday, the Cavaliers were without Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill, and Larry Nance Jr. They are all dealing with injuries as the calendar has flipped to December. To begin, Larry Nance Jr. was diagnosed with a Grade 1 soleus strain. That is a deep calf muscle. NBA insiders reported that Larry Nance is set to miss three to four weeks due to this injury. The 32-year-old has played in 16 of the team’s 21 games and made two starts.
Larry is not the only front-court player the Cavs will be without. Starting center Jarrett Allen suffered a displaced fracture in his finger last month. It’s forced the 27-year-old to miss Cleveland’s last two games. Allen will miss approximately one week with a right finger strain. Without Nance and Allen, the Cavs used a smaller starting lineup.
Cleveland #Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen is expected to be sidelined for one week with a finger injury. pic.twitter.com/dPaRHYnHHb
— Rob Murrows (@RobMurrows) November 30, 2025
Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, DeAndre Hunter, and Evan Mobley are unquestioned starters. Jaylon Tyson got the nod on Sunday to be the fifth starter for Cleveland. Luckily, the team has plenty of depth.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson has gone deep into his rotation early in the year. Without Jarrett Allen and Larry Nance, Thomas Bryant, Jaylon Tyson, and Dean Wade will see increased minutes.
Additionally, Sam Merrill suffered a right-hand sprain. Including Sunday’s loss to Boston, Merrill has missed five consecutive games for the Cavs. However, Merrill is listed as day-to-day. It’s unknown if he’ll be available on Monday. That will be the team’s second game of a back-to-back.
When healthy, Merrill has been enjoying a career-best season with the Cavs. While he’s been out, players like Nae’Qwan Tomlin and Craig Porter Jr. have seen extra minutes. The Cavs are on the road Monday evening to face the Indiana Pacers.
