The Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings will play each other in Ohio on Friday night.
However, because of the absence of three-time NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell, they will be missing their greatest player for the contest.
Underdog NBA: "Donovan Mitchell (leg) ruled out Friday."
Donovan Mitchell (leg) ruled out Friday.
— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) December 9, 2022
The former Louisville star, who joined the Cavs for the first time after being traded from the Utah Jazz in the offseason, has been playing brilliantly this season.
In 23 games, he has averaged 29.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists.
He also shoots an astounding 49.6% from the field and 42.4% from beyond the arc.
With Mitchell, the Cavaliers' absence from the NBA Playoffs since the 2018 campaign (when they still had LeBron James) appears to end this year.
They are the third seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 16-9 through their first 25 games.
The Cavaliers have excelled at home, winning 11-1 in 12 games played in Ohio.
In their 116-102 home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, Mitchell exploded for 43 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
It won't be simple to play the Kings without Mitchell.
After going 0-4 to start the season, they are the fifth seed in the Western Conference and have won 13 of their past 19 games (they are 13-10 on the season in 23 games).
The Kings are 6-4 in their previous ten games and have a 5-6 road record in 11 games played outside of Sacramento.
Click here for more trending news
You can also follow us on our Twitter page
You can also follow us on our Tumblr page
You can also follow us on our Pinterest page