Evan Mobley making progress in recovery from sprained ankle; Cavaliers wont rule him out for remainder of pr – cleveland.com

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley conducted a lengthy individual workout following Tuesdays practice, showing no signs of being slowed by a sprained right ankle that has kept him out of the first two preseason games. Its a positive indicator that his official return is getting closer.

Progressing well. Obviously, you can see him back behind us here, Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, pointing to the hoop where Mobley was working alongside assistant coach Luke Walton and others. All the steps that we need to take, hes knocking them out and moving in the right direction.

For nearly 30 minutes, Mobley went through a variety of shooting and footwork drills, testing his injured ankle with sharp pivots, change-of-direction maneuvers, simulated pick-and-pops and dribble drives. He finished the session at the 3-point line -- a still-developing aspect of his offensive arsenal that Mobley thinks will take his game to the next level.

Tuesday was the second consecutive day Mobley went through an individual workout.

The Rookie of the Year runner-up, who is expected to be an integral piece of Clevelands playoff chase this coming season, sprained his ankle in practice on Oct. 1, when he landed on the foot of center Robin Lopez following a drive to the basket. Initially, Mobley was given a timeline of approximately 1-2 weeks. Its been eight days since the results of his MRI confirmed the sprain. Even though the Cavs didnt have any internal concern about the fast-healing youngster missing the regular season opener in Toronto on Oct. 19, there was much less certainty surrounding his preseason availability.

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The Cavs have played two exhibition games already. There are two remaining -- home against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday and Friday in Orlando. The clock is ticking.

Were hopeful. We havent ruled it out, Bickerstaff said when asked about Mobleys chances of suiting up. Its always about tomorrow and how it responded the day before. But we have not ruled him out from playing in a preseason game.

The news isnt as encouraging for fourth-year swingman Dylan Windler. Entering camp in a six-player competition for the starting small forward job, Windler landed awkwardly while trying to contest a jumper on Oct. 4 -- the final practice before the preseason opener -- and suffered what was deemed a minor ankle injury. Windler has been getting around-the-clock treatment and is expected to return to the court for basketball-related activities soon, but is further behind than Mobley.

Dylan will probably be out for preseason, Bickerstaff said. If things progress the way they are now, something magical happens, maybe he comes back. But my assumption is hell be out for preseason.

Elsewhere, Dean Wade did not practice Tuesday. Wade rolled his ankle during Mondays preseason loss against Philadelphia and even though he wanted to return, the Cavs held him out as a precaution.

Kevin Love, who sat out Monday after banging his left knee in the preseason opener on Oct. 5, was able to participate in practice -- a good sign for a team that is still trying to solidify its starting lineup and rotation. Bickerstaff said hes still trying to come up with a playing-time plan for the final two preseason games, but the injuries are making it more complicated.

We are a work in progress with with a pretty new and interesting dynamic and then mixing in the injuries, he said. So were working to get where we want to go. But its going to take us time. Were still figuring out injuries and things like that. That will impact what we do as well. If guys are able to come back, getting guys to play and getting them an opportunity with some of the other guys. If theyre not, then maybe not. Were still considering all those things.

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Evan Mobley making progress in recovery from sprained ankle; Cavaliers wont rule him out for remainder of pr - cleveland.com