Cavaliers to be without two more players for crucial Game 5

In addition to star guard Donovan Mitchell (left calf strain), the Cavaliers will also be without guard Caris LeVert and center Jarrett Allen for Wednesday’s Game 5 in Boston, per Cavs sideline reporter Serena Winters.

Cleveland will tweak its starting lineup, Winters adds, with Dean Wade sliding into the power forward spot. The other four starters are Darius Garland, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro and Evan Mobley.

Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff indicated earlier that Wade would likely receive more minutes, though it’s unclear how many — this is only his third game back after missing a little over two months with a knee injury, via Jay King of The Athletic.

LeVert, who is typically a reserve but started Game 4 in place of the injured Mitchell, aggravated a left knee bone bruise in Monday’s loss, which put the Cavs in a 3-1 hole in the second-round series with the Celtics. Former All-Star big man Allen, meanwhile, continues to be sidelined with a right rib contusion that has kept him out of action since April 27 (Game 4 vs. Orlando).

Obviously, being without three of their top players while trying to stave off elimination is less than ideal for Cleveland. Especially with Mitchell’s future with the organization seemingly uncertain.

Sharpshooter Sam Merrill is another candidate to receive more playing time on Wednesday evening amid the team’s injuries.