CLEVELAND -- Even with Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters, it’s hard to tell what you’ll get from the Cavaliers from night to night.
Without them, however, expectations are incredibly low as the Cavs play out the end of another season.
And as of right now, it’s unclear when or if Irving (sprained shoulder) and Waiters (sore knee) will return. Team officials have not updated the status of either, and while both have taken the practice court lately, neither is expected to play in Wednesday’s home game vs. Boston.
Cavs coach Byron Scott did say he wouldn’t just shut down Irving for the sake of it.
“Just because there's six games left, I wouldn't say, 'No, we're going to shut you down and not play you at all,' when I know he's healthy and he's capable of playing,'' Scott said from practice Monday.
Irving and Waiters form the Cavs' starting backcourt when healthy. But an array of injuries, particularly to Irving, has severely limited their time together. That’s key, as Irving is in just his second season and Waiters his first.
Irving is averaging team-highs of 23.0 points and 5.7 assists, but has played in just 49 games. Dating back to the summer, he’s also suffered a broken hand, broken finger and broken jaw. He sprained his shoulder March 10 in a game at Toronto.
Waiters is averaging 14.7 points in 57 games. He injured his knee March 18 vs. Indiana.
The Cavs (22-47) have lost five straight and are coming off a 38-point debacle Friday at Houston. Three of their next five games are at home.
Shaun Livingston and Wayne Ellington have been starting in place of Irving and Waiters. Livingston was obtained off waivers from Washington on Christmas Day, and Ellington via a late January trade with Memphis.
Twitter: @SamAmicoFSO
