Is De’Andre Hunter playing tonight against Pacers? Latest injury update on Cavaliers wing ahead of road Game 3 (May 9)

In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Cleveland Cavaliers were without starters Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, along with key trade deadline pickup De’Andre Hunter. The Cavs fell to the Indiana Pacers in heartbreaking fashion, 120-119.

Hunter, who missed that contest due to a dislocated right thumb is available to play after being listed as questionable for Friday’s Game 3, per the NBA’s 4:30 a.m. ET injury report.

He played in the series opener, contributing 11 points and four rebounds in 30 minutes. However, the Cavaliers lost that game 121-112, then dropped Game 2 after a late collapse, punctuated by Tyrese Haliburton’s dagger 3, leaving Cleveland in a 2-0 hole as the series shifts to Indiana.

Facing a must-win in Game 3, Cleveland is reportedly “optimistic” that De’Andre Hunter, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley could all return, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, who wrote Thursday:

“The Cavs held a walk-through Thursday before leaving for Indianapolis, and coach Kenny Atkinson said all three players ‘touched the ball’ during the workout — which means they were all participants. All will still be listed ‘questionable’ on the team’s injury report ahead of Game 3.”

Since joining the Cavs from the Atlanta Hawks, Hunter has averaged 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists across 27 regular-season games.

In the playoffs, his output has slightly dipped to 12.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per contest.

Kenny Atkinson offers no clear update on De’Andre Hunter, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley ahead of Game 3

Newly minted Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson met with reporters Thursday afternoon and said he’s “hoping for the best” regarding the return of De’Andre Hunter, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, but admitted he couldn’t provide a firm update on their status.

“It’s so hard with these,” Atkinson said (per Cleveland.com). “The only way I could answer that is kind of got in their bodies. Otherwise, I’m just playing a guessing game.

“You never know. This is just life in the NBA. I think it’s frustrating for all of us, and it’s no indictment on anybody or the players, none of that. Injuries are a tough thing. You don’t really know unless you experience it yourself.”

During the regular season, Cleveland’s bench ranked eighth in scoring, averaging 39.7 points per game. But with Hunter, Mobley and Garland sidelined in Game 2, the reserves were limited to just 21 points.