Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley to miss 2-4 weeks with left calf strain

Evan Mobley is expected to miss two to four weeks with a left calf strain, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced Saturday.

That timeline could keep the team’s All-Star center out for seven to 14 games. On the longer end of the projection, Cleveland would be without Mobley until at least Jan. 10.

Mobley sustained the injury during Friday’s road win over the Washington Wizards. A postgame evaluation revealed tightness in his calf, and an MRI conducted Saturday confirmed a Grade 1 strain, the team said.

This marks the second time Mobley has dealt with calf issues this calendar year. In January, he missed four consecutive games due to a right calf strain, during which the Cavaliers went 2-2.

The setback comes at a challenging time for Cleveland. The Cavaliers have lost five of their past eight games and are significantly better with Mobley on the floor. This season, Cleveland owns a plus-5.6 net rating in 854 minutes with Mobley on the court, compared to minus-0.9 in 399 minutes when he’s on the bench.

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is enjoying a career year and remains central to Cleveland’s success on both ends of the floor. Mobley is averaging a career high in points (19.1), assists (4.1), 3-point attempts per game (4.3) and 3-pointers made per game (1.5). His 70.5 touches per game trail only Donovan Mitchell for the team lead, while his 10.6 contested shots per game rank fifth in the NBA and lead the Cavaliers, according to the NBA.

Cleveland’s next five games include a home contest against the Charlotte Hornets, a road game at the Chicago Bulls, a home contest against the Bulls and a home back-to-back against the Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans.