Cavaliers' Key Players Return for Critical Game 3

The Cleveland Cavaliers, trailing 2-0 against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, are set to get Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De'Andre Hunter back for Game 3 after all missed Game 2 due to injuries. Garland has been dealing with a sprained big toe, Mobley, the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, suffered a sprained ankle, and Hunter was sidelined by a dislocated thumb. Their absences contributed to Cleveland's narrow losses, including a Game 2 where the Pacers overcame a 20-point deficit and won on Tyrese Haliburton's last-second three-pointer. Donovan Mitchell scored over 45 points in Game 2 but struggled late as the Cavaliers' rotation was stretched. Coach Kenny Atkinson expressed hope but uncertainty about the returning players' minutes, emphasizing the need for star performances with the team's postseason hopes in jeopardy. Fans and pundits have highlighted the urgency of Garland's return and questioned whether the Cavaliers can recover if their stars remain limited.