The Cleveland Cavaliers, currently one of the NBA’s top teams, will be without their best defensive stopper for at least two weeks. Forward Isaac Okoro suffered a sprained right shoulder in the third quarter of Monday’s dominant 130–101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
On Wednesday, the team confirmed that an MRI exam revealed a sprain of the right AC joint. Okoro, who will soon turn 24, is regarded as one of the Cavaliers’ most versatile and critical defenders, a loss that could prove challenging as Cleveland faces a series of matchups against elite stars, including Damian Lillard, Tyrese Maxey, Jamal Murray, Stephen Curry, and LeBron James.
“It gives you such a comfort level to have that guy you can stick on somebody, whether it’s Trae Young, so whether it’s a point guard or we can say, ‘Hey, go guard Jayson Tatum tonight,’” said Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson, via Cleveland.com.
Atkinson praised Okoro’s defensive adaptability, saying, “Isaac can guard fours, he can also switch onto fives because he’s so strong. We can use this guy as our Swiss army knife. He can guard anybody. He’s been great for us.”
While Okoro averages a modest 6.6 points per game, his contributions on offense have also been notable this season. A consistent and improving 3-point shooter, Okoro is connecting on 49% of his attempts (30-of-61) from long range, forcing teams to respect his shot and opening up the floor for his teammates.
Donovan Mitchell, reflecting on Okoro’s absence, emphasized the need for the team to step up. “With Isaac being out, we have to continue to take our physicality to another level,” Mitchell told The Plain Dealer’s Ethan Sands. “He’s a guy that [has been] knocking down shots and teams want to leave him. You obviously miss him on the defensive end, but offensively, he’s been playing phenomenally for us.”
Okoro, who re-signed with Cleveland this offseason on a three-year, $38 million deal, will be reevaluated in two weeks. In the meantime, the Cavaliers could receive some reinforcements. Max Strus, who has been sidelined all season with an ankle injury, is reportedly close to returning. Strus, coming off a career-best season with 12.2 points per game while shooting 35% from deep, could help fill the gap left by Okoro’s absence.
The Cavaliers will need to rely on their depth and adaptability as they navigate the next few weeks without their defensive “Swiss army knife.”