The Cleveland Cavaliers are in for a major battle when it comes to securing the top seed back east heading into the final week of the season.
Tied with Boston for the best record in the Eastern Conference with five games remaining, Cleveland will also be without forward Tristan Thompson for Wednesday’s game against the above-mentioned Celtics.
The big man suffered a sprained thumb in Cleveland’s win over Orlando on Tuesday and will miss the next two games. It is the first game that Thompson has sat out since he was a rookie back in 2011-12. It also ends the NBA’s longest running streak of consecutive games played at 447.
“Thompson did not travel with the team to Boston on Tuesday night in order to have additional evaluation and imaging done at Cleveland Clinic Wednesday morning,” The Cavaliers said in a press release, via the team’s official website. “The results have confirmed a sprained right thumb. He will miss Wednesday’s game in Boston vs. the Celtics and Friday in Cleveland vs. the Hawks while undergoing continued treatment and additional evaluation.”
This could be a major blow for Cleveland’s chances of winning Wednesday’s game and earning the top seed once the postseason comes calling.
Thompson is averaging 8.1 points and 9.3 rebounds on the season. He’s the team’s best defender and will be sorely missed with Al Horford calling Wednesday night in Boston.