The Cleveland Cavaliers’ already-thin backcourt absorbed another blow Wednesday night — and the timing could hardly be worse.
Keon Ellis Injury Adds to Cavaliers’ Growing Backcourt Concerns
Backup guard Keon Ellis suffered a left index finger fracture during Cleveland’s 118–116 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, further complicating a rotation that has been stretched by injuries over the past week.
The Cavaliers announced that X-rays revealed a non-displaced volar plate avulsion of Ellis’ left index PIP joint. He will undergo treatment and continued evaluation and has been listed as questionable for Friday’s highly anticipated matchup against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons.
Ellis Had Been Emerging as a Key Depth Piece
GettyCavaliers guard Keon Ellis has emerged as a key rotation piece before the injury.
The injury is particularly unfortunate given Ellis’ recent production. Acquired at the trade deadline alongside Dennis Schroder in a three-team deal that sent DeAndre Hunter to Sacramento, Ellis had quickly carved out a meaningful role.
In nine games with Cleveland, the 26-year-old has averaged 6.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.0 block in 21.6 minutes per game. He was one of the Cavaliers’ few bright spots in Milwaukee, posting 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block before exiting with the injury.
Injury Report Piles Up Ahead of Pistons Showdown
Ellis now joins a crowded injury report. James Harden (right thumb fracture), Schroder (right ankle sprain), and Dean Wade (right ankle sprain) are all listed as questionable.
Cleveland’s leading scorer, Donovan Mitchell, has already been ruled out with a right groin strain. Max Strus also remains sidelined as he continues to recover from left foot surgery, though head coach Kenny Atkinson recently noted that Strus is “really trending positive” after participating in contact drills.
Mitchell missed Wednesday’s loss in Milwaukee, the second night of a back-to-back following Tuesday’s 109–94 blowout win over the New York Knicks. The All-Star guard has appeared in 55 games this season, averaging 28.5 points (seventh in the NBA), 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists, while shooting 37% on a league-high 517 three-point attempts.
Harden Plans to Play Through Thumb Fracture
Among the walking wounded, Harden’s situation offers a measure of relief. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Harden was evaluated by a hand specialist and will not require surgery.
“James Harden has been evaluated by a hand specialist, and I’m told he plans to play through that fracture in his right thumb moving forward,” Charania reported on NBA Today. “No surgery is required, so he will be playing on.”
While Harden’s status remains day-to-day, the fracture affects his non-shooting hand, a key factor in the decision to avoid a procedure that would have sidelined him for weeks.
Since being acquired at the deadline in a deal that sent Darius Garland out of Cleveland, Harden has played seven games for the Cavaliers, averaging 18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists while shooting 49% from the field. Overall, he has appeared in 51 games this season, including 44 with the Los Angeles Clippers. Cleveland is 6–2 since he joined the roster.
Cavaliers Still Rolling Despite Injuries
Even with the mounting absences, Cleveland enters Friday’s marquee matchup in strong form. The Cavaliers have won 15 of their last 20 games and have not dropped consecutive contests since Dec. 25–27, when they lost to the Knicks and Houston Rockets.
Cleveland sits half a game behind the third-seeded Knicks, while Detroit arrives with its rotation largely intact, aside from Isaiah Stewart, who remains suspended following an on-court altercation earlier this month.
Ellis’ Status Looms Large
For a Cavaliers team navigating a delicate stretch of the schedule, Ellis’ availability could prove pivotal. His defensive activity, length, and versatility had quickly earned trust within Atkinson’s rotation.
Whether Ellis can suit up on Friday remains uncertain. But as Cleveland continues to absorb injury after injury, his fracture underscores a growing concern: how thin the margin has become — even for one of the Eastern Conference’s hottest teams.
Cavaliers Announce New Injury Blow Ahead of Pistons Game