Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets: preview and player stats (Jan 2, 2027)

Mitchell (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Mavericks. Mitchell will miss his first game of the season due to a left knee contusion. The Cavaliers will be without all of their usual starters, meaning Tyrese Proctor, Meleek Thomas and Craig Porter should all see significant minutes in the backcourt.

Mobley (toe) has been ruled out for Saturday's meeting with Dallas. Mobley will miss a second consecutive contest due to a left great toe sprain, and his next chance to play will come Monday against the Bulls. Jarrett Allen (knee) is questionable for Saturday's contest, so Thomas Bryant could be asked to step into an expanded role.

Allen (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Mavericks. Allen will get a break to rest his injured right knee after playing in each of Cleveland's last three games. With Evan Mobley (toe) also out, Thomas Bryant can be expected to take on a larger role Saturday.

Harden (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Dallas. Harden will miss his first game of the season due to a calf issue he picked up sometime after Friday's loss to Miami. Fellow guard Donovan Mitchell (knee) will also be inactive Saturday, leaving Tyrese Proctor, Craig Porter and Meleek Thomas as Cleveland's top backcourt options.

Merrill (elbow) is listed as out for Wednesday's game against the Knicks. Merrill has battled a lingering elbow issue since the preseason. He will now miss a third consecutive contest, with his next opportunity to suit up coming Friday in Miami. While Merrill is sidelined, Craig Porter, Meleek Thomas and Tyrese Proctor should see more minutes.

Watson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Mavericks. Watson will join the rest of Cleveland's regular starters on the inactive list. The 24-year-old's next chance to play will come Monday against Chicago. With Watson sidelined, Jaylon Tyson and Mario Hezonja will likely see increased playing time.

Tomlin is set to miss several weeks with a lower back stress reaction, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. This is a tough blow for the forward and there's no guarantee he's cleared right away when he's re-evaluated in three-to-four weeks. Tomlin wasn't projected to crack the rotation ahead of Opening Night and was penciled in to be an emergency depth option.

Injury/Illness - Left Hamstring Strain (2026-11-15, CHA@LAC). Prior reporting (2026-11-08): Knueppel (hamstring) was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain Sunday and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Knueppel missed the first eight games of the 2026-27 campaign. He returned for the 114-104 loss to Brooklyn on Wednesday, though he exited the contest after just six minutes of work and didn't return. With Knueppel out of commission for at least a month, Grayson Allen and Sion James are candidates to replace him in the starting lineup, especially with Dennis Schroder (hamstring) sidelined for a minimum of two weeks.

Injury/Illness - Left Hamstring Strain (2026-11-15, CHA@LAC). Prior reporting (2026-11-08): Schroder has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and will be reevaluated in two weeks, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com reports. Schroder, who missed Friday's game due to what was described as a left thigh injury, has been diagnosed with a hamstring strain. He is set to be reevaluated in two weeks, suggesting he will miss at least the next five games. Christian Anderson and Sion James could see extra minutes with Schroder sidelined.

G League - On Assignment (2026-11-15, CHA@LAC).

G League - Two-Way (2026-11-15, CHA@LAC).

G League - Two-Way (2026-11-15, CHA@LAC).