Isaac Okoro to play in Game 1 of Cavs’ playoff series against Knicks Saturday night, sources say

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs could have their full beginning lineup for Saturday’s playoff collection opener in opposition to the New York Knicks.

Sources inform cleveland.com that injured small ahead Isaac Okoro will play.

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Okoro, who missed the ultimate six video games of the common season due to left knee soreness attributable to a bone bruise, was formally listed as questionable and Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff performed it coy as soon as once more when requested about Okoro’s enjoying standing previous to tipoff. However after taking part in parts of observe over the previous couple of days, together with taking mild contact, Okoro has obtained the inexperienced mild and can be in his common beginning spot, sources say.

As Cleveland’s finest perimeter defender, Okoro’s presence can be vital in opposition to an isolation-heavy New York workforce that options level guard Jalen Brunson — a lefty who scored a career-high 48 factors in the latest assembly between the 2 groups — and Sixth Man of the Yr candidate Immanuel Quickley.

In three matchups in opposition to New York this season, Okoro held Brunson to seven factors on 2 of 11 from the sector. He was the one participant able to neutralizing New York’s offensive engine.

“It’s considered one of Isaac’s strengths defending a man like that,” Bickerstaff mentioned when requested particularly in regards to the Brunson matchup main into Recreation 1. “Clearly, Brunson is a heck of a participant. He’s extraordinarily proficient and has confirmed to be clutch within the brightest moments. However these are the challenges that Isaac accepts and he loves.”

Okoro final performed on March 26, when he was on the ground for simply 9 minutes because the Cavs beat Houston to lock up their first playoff spot since 2018. With nothing left to play for within the ultimate weeks of the common season, the workforce took a cautious strategy, wanting to provide Okoro additional time to heal, understanding his significance to their postseason hopes.

“There’s an vitality that he provides the group when he’s doing Isaac issues, and also you return and simply watch movie and also you marvel on the method he can simply preserve himself in place and is all the time within the play,” Bickerstaff mentioned. “There’s no screening motion, there’s no misdirection that may get him out of place and it’s enjoyable to look at. He’s elite at it.”

Okoro didn’t play within the March 31 loss in opposition to the Knicks.

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