The Cleveland Cavaliers’ push to keep stacking wins faces a late-day wrinkle. Ahead of Tuesday night’s home game against the New Orleans Pelicans (tip 6:30 pm CT), the official NBA injury reports through the early afternoon update window (12:30–2:45 pm ET) listed key names for Cleveland and left New Orleans’ side pending. It means the final few hours before tip are filled with lineup questions, matchup puzzles, and a bit of suspense.

Cavaliers injury report vs. Pelicans: who’s in, who’s out

Early in the day, Cleveland’s report started light, but by mid-afternoon it carried several important statuses. Per the league’s official updates, the Cavaliers list two guards as questionable and three players out:

• Darius Garland — Questionable (left quadricep contusion)
• Jordan Poole — Questionable (left ankle soreness)
• Lonzo Ball — Out (rest/left knee injury management)
• Evan Mobley — Out (left calf strain)
• Larry Nance Jr. — Out (right calf strain)

Garland’s status is the headline. He enters with a notable scoring rhythm, averaging 31.0 points and 9.0 assists among his recent lines cited ahead of this matchup. If he plays, Cleveland’s half-court offense gets its lead creator and late-clock problem-solver. If not, the shot creation burden slides toward Donovan Mitchell and, if available, Jordan Poole.

Poole’s questionable tag for a left ankle adds another pivot point. His downhill speed and spacing (1.5 threes per game from the latest averages) keep defenses honest. Without him, Cleveland could be lighter on perimeter punch and second-unit scoring.

“If Garland sits, who bends the defense? Allen can’t do it alone.”

The absences up front matter, too. Evan Mobley (left calf) is out, as is Larry Nance Jr. (right calf). That puts more on Jarrett Allen, who has been steady with 13.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and balanced defensive counting stats in the recent form guide. With Lonzo Ball also out due to left knee management and rest, Cleveland’s ball-handling depth could be tested if one of the questionable guards can’t go.

Pelicans lineup watch: status pending, star power obvious

As of the early afternoon slate of official reports, the Pelicans had not yet submitted their injury update for this game. Keep an eye out as we approach tip, as a late status swing on the New Orleans side could alter matchups quickly.

Regardless of the sheet, New Orleans’ headliner is clear: Zion Williamson. He’s entering this one with a strong 26.5 points and 8.0 rebounds in the latest averages noted ahead of the contest, the kind of force that forces a defense to crowd the paint. Around him, the Pelicans have shooting and length from Trey Murphy III (14.0 PTS, 5.5 REB, 2.0 STL, 1.5 3PM) and scoring punch from wings like Saddiq Bey (18.5 PTS, 6.0 REB) and De’Andre Hunter (19.0 PTS, 2.5 3PM). There’s also playmaking size in Derik Queen (18.0 PTS, 10.0 REB, 5.0 AST) that can stress rotations.

“Zion at 26.5 a night means Cleveland must build a wall at the rim.”

Form guide: who’s carrying the load for Cleveland

Beyond Garland, the Cavaliers have several notable trend lines:

• Jarrett Allen: 13.0 PTS, 8.5 REB, impact at the rim on both ends.
• Donovan Mitchell: 15.0 PTS with 3.0 made threes per game in the latest snapshot. Even on quieter scoring nights, his gravity and shotmaking swing games late.
• Jordan Poole: 15.0 PTS, 3.5 AST when rolling; his burst can flip a quarter.

For New Orleans, the shooting of Murphy and Bey frames the floor for Williamson’s power. If those wings are hitting from deep, Cleveland’s defense will face tough choices: help in the lane and surrender threes, or stay home and live with Zion downhill. That math is where Allen’s timing and positioning loom large.

Tactical keys: glass, paint, and threes

Win the paint: Without Mobley’s length, the Cavaliers will rely on Allen to anchor the back line and finish plays. The first battle is at the rim — limit Zion’s touches in deep spots and make him see multiple bodies early.

Own the glass: New Orleans has size on the wing and at the four. Long rebounds off Murphy/Bey attempts can start fast breaks; the Cavs must finish possessions clean to avoid run-outs.

Threes vs. free throws: The Pelicans generate power with paint touches and free throws. Cleveland’s counter is spacing from Mitchell and (if available) Poole, plus timely catch-and-shoot looks that punish help.

“No Mobley, no Nance — the boards will decide this one.”

Rotation questions if the questionable tags linger

If Garland plays, the Cavaliers’ offense can run its usual spread pick-and-roll packages, using Allen as a vertical threat and Mitchell as a secondary driver and closer. Poole’s availability would let Cleveland stagger ball-handlers and keep shooting on the floor against the Pelicans’ length.

If Garland sits, the playbook tightens. Mitchell likely absorbs more on-ball reps, and the Cavs will need to manufacture easy points via defense-to-offense bursts, early seals for Allen, and simplified actions that still create corner threes. If Poole also sits, expect even more emphasis on pace control and half-court precision to avoid live-ball turnovers.

Either way, Allen’s role is massive. He must protect the paint, own the glass, and be efficient as a finisher. With Ball, Mobley, and Nance Jr. ruled out, Cleveland’s margin on the interior and at the point of attack narrows. Every rotation, tag, and box-out matters against a Pelicans group that can pressure the rim and stretch you to the arc.

Why this game matters now

At 16–14, the Cavaliers are looking to keep their footing above the .500 line and build rhythm heading into the holiday stretch. The Pelicans’ early injury sheet may be pending, but their blueprint is known: lean into Zion’s force, surround him with shooting, and crash the glass. Cleveland’s counter depends on health at guard, Allen’s presence, and enough made threes to keep the floor balanced.

Tip is set for 6:30 pm CT. Watch the final injury report queues in the last 90 minutes before the game; a questionable tag turning to active (or out) could swing the matchup calculus quickly. For now, the themes are clear: protect the lane, finish possessions, and hope one of those Qs flips to a yes.