The Cleveland Cavaliers walk into Charlotte on January 21 with a clear message: it won’t be easy, but the job still needs to get done. Both the Cavaliers and the Hornets are banged up, and that turns this game into a test of depth, patience, and problem-solving. For Cleveland, the big headline is simple and stark — Darius Garland and Sam Merrill are out — and the ripple effect will shape everything from ball-handling to shot quality.

Cavaliers injury report: who’s out, what it means

Cleveland will be without two important guards. Darius Garland (17.9 PPG, 6.4 APG) is out with a right great toe sprain and will be re-evaluated in 7–10 days. Sam Merrill, one of their best floor spacers, is out with a right hand sprain.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson set the tone on Merrill’s status: “I talked to Sam. He did not practice today. You know, we’ll see, I don’t think it’s long-term. He’s recovering right now.” The update is encouraging for the longer view, but it does not help tonight’s shot diet.

Adding to the challenge: Max Strus remains sidelined after left foot surgery (Jones fracture). That’s three of Cleveland’s better shooters out at the same time, which forces a rethink of spacing and pace. Two-way and development pipeline pieces Chris Livingston and Luke Travers are with the G League.

• Out (Cavaliers): Darius Garland (right great toe), Sam Merrill (right hand), Max Strus (left foot surgery), Chris Livingston (G League), Luke Travers (G League)

The good news for the Cavs: Donovan Mitchell remains the lead engine at 24.3 points per game, with all-court playmaking. And Evan Mobley (12.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.1 APG) gives Cleveland a frontcourt hub who can screen, roll, and make quick reads. But with shooting thinned out, the offensive margin gets tighter. Every drive needs better timing. Every cut needs to be sharp. Second-chance points and defense-to-offense bursts become even more important.

“Three shooters out — can Mitchell create enough space on his own?”

Hornets injury report: interior depth questions

Charlotte has its own concerns. Mason Plumlee is out following right groin surgery, and KJ Simpson is out with a left hip flexor strain. Several young players are with the G League — PJ Hall, Liam McNeeley, and Antonio Reeves — leaving the rotation a bit thinner on the margins. Tidjane Salaun is listed as probable with left Achilles tendinopathy.

• Out (Hornets): Mason Plumlee (right groin surgery), KJ Simpson (left hip flexor), PJ Hall (G League), Liam McNeeley (G League), Antonio Reeves (G League)
• Probable (Hornets): Tidjane Salaun (left Achilles tendinopathy)

Even with stars like Brandon Miller (20.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.5 APG) and LaMelo Ball (17.4 PPG, 5.7 APG, 3.5 RPG), the Hornets’ interior depth will be tested without Plumlee. That matters against Mobley’s length and activity. If Cleveland can win the glass and control the paint touches, Charlotte will need to lean even more on shot-making from Miller and on Ball’s pace to stay even.

“If Charlotte can’t protect the paint, Mobley might control the night.”

Donovan Mitchell’s load just got heavier

With Garland and Merrill out and Strus still sidelined, Mitchell’s job expands. He’ll have to do more than score; he must bend the defense. That means getting two defenders to the ball, kicking early, and trusting teammates to step into open looks. The Cavs will need to generate threes from drive-and-kick actions, quick swing passes, and weak-side cuts. Even if the shots don’t fall right away, the process should be sound and repeatable.

Mitchell’s 24.3 points per game speak for themselves. But his 5.2 assists matter just as much in this spot. The best version of Cleveland’s offense tonight may be Mitchell breaking the paint, drawing help, and letting simple reads create rhythm looks at the arc or easy finishes inside.

Evan Mobley as the pressure point

Without three trusted shooters, Cleveland can run more actions through Mobley at the elbows and on short rolls. If the Hornets trap Mitchell or go under screens to clog the lane, Mobley can be the counter — catching in space, making the extra pass, or finishing with touch. He doesn’t need to be flashy; he just needs to be steady and quick with decisions.

Mobley’s stat line (12.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.1 APG) is a reminder that his impact often shows up between the numbers. Deflections, contests, and screens that free Mitchell all add up. Against a Charlotte team missing Plumlee, winning the middle of the floor could be the quiet edge that tips this game.

“No Garland, no Merrill — this has to be a Mobley-in-the-middle game.”

Charlotte’s playmakers vs. Cleveland’s defense

Brandon Miller is the Hornets’ top scorer and can get hot in a hurry. LaMelo Ball can warp a defense with early passes and deep range. Cleveland’s job is simple to say and hard to do: keep the ball in front, avoid fouls, finish stops. If the Cavs can slow the first action and force Charlotte into late-clock decisions, they can pull the Hornets away from their comfort zone.

One thing to watch: the three-point math. Cleveland is down shooters, but that doesn’t mean they should avoid the arc. They just need to choose the right threes — corner looks, catch-and-shoot set-ups, and threes that come from paint touches. On the other end, running Miller and Ball off the line and making them play inside the arc can tilt the numbers.

Timeline, All-Star runway, and the bigger picture

Garland’s 7–10 day re-evaluation window matters as the All-Star break gets closer. Cleveland will aim to hold firm, bank wins where it can, and get healthy shooting back in the lineup. With Merrill recovering and Strus on the mend from surgery, there’s hope that the Cavaliers’ spacing will improve as the calendar turns.

For tonight, though, it’s about problem-solving. Expect a grind in Charlotte: tighter rotations, more on-ball from Mitchell, more touches for Mobley, and a premium on every rebound and turnover. The Hornets will try to push pace with Ball and ride Miller’s scoring; the Cavs will try to squeeze the game and win the details.

Sometimes, the simplest plan is the best plan — defend, rebound, value the ball, and trust your stars. If Cleveland does those things, it can walk out of Charlotte with a road win in spite of the injury list.

Final word: The injuries shape the story, but they don’t have to decide it. In a game of inches and possessions, execution will be the headline that lasts.