Starting the year with a 5-0 record despite battling injuries, the Cleveland Cavaliers have become one of the most impressive teams in basketball. Entering this week unbeaten, the Cavs approached their four-game schedule as the first true challenge of the season. With decisive wins over the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland is now in the final stretch as they get ready to face a familiar playoff rival: the Orlando Magic.
This game marks the first of three meetings between the Cavs and the Magic this season. They’ll face off again in Orlando in late February, with the final matchup set in Cleveland in March. Last season, the two teams split their regular-season series at two games apiece, but the Cavs had the final say, eliminating Orlando in a tight 4-3 series in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
This matchup will act as a key test for both teams. However, the young, rising Magic squad may be short-handed against the Cavs, as they could be without two key stars and a rotation player. Star forward Paolo Banchero is currently listed as questionable due to a right abdominal strain and will likely be a game-time decision. Additionally, star swingman Franz Wagner is dealing with an illness and will also be a game-time decision. Finally, big man Goga Bitadze is questionable with a strained left foot, making him likely another game-time decision.
Who will be unavailable when the Cavs face the Magic?
Facing Orlando, Cleveland will be missing Emoni Bates (knee, G League assignment), Max Strus (ankle), Luke Travers (G League assignment), and J.T. Thor (G League assignment). The absence of Bates, Thor, and Travers is expected, as each needs ample on-court experience for their development, and the Cavs currently lack the available minutes to play them in this game.
While Thor and Travers will continue practicing with the team, they’ll wait to see game action once the NBA G League season begins. Bates, on the other hand, remains out as he rehabs from knee surgery he underwent during the preseason. The hope is that he’ll be ready to join the Cleveland Charge, the Cavs’ NBA G League affiliate, when their season kicks off.
Cleveland’s matchup with Orlando will mark the sixth consecutive regular-season game without Strus. The Cavs sharpshooter sustained a right ankle sprain during individual workouts while rehabbing from a bruised hip. After confirming the severity of the sprain, Strus is set to be reevaluated following six weeks of treatment and rehabilitation.
This timeline implies Strus will be out for at least Cleveland’s first 20 regular-season games. He had previously missed some preseason time but seemed close to returning for the season opener against the Toronto Raptors. With Strus still unavailable, Dean Wade is expected to start at small forward for the Cavs. Wade has consistently filled in for Strus throughout the regular season and will likely do so again at home against the Magic.
After sitting out Cleveland’s win over Los Angeles, defensive specialist Craig Porter Jr. is now listed as doubtful with a right thumb strain. It’s unclear when Porter sustained the injury, but with Ty Jerome performing well, Porter hasn’t been part of Cleveland’s regular rotation. Nonetheless, his return would be a valuable boost, especially against Orlando’s strong guard lineup, where extra defensive support will be essential. The Cavs will need to stay focused against the Magic—any lapse could lead to their first loss of the season.
