Cavaliers guard Peyton Watson was ruled out for Wednesday's game at Oklahoma City with a right hamstring injury. He had been day-to-day, and the injury report lists Nov. 6 as his expected return.
What happened
The Cavaliers upgraded Peyton Watson from day-to-day to out on the injury report released Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 5:27 PM ET. The injury is listed as a right hamstring issue, described as a leg injury. The report's comment reads: "Watson (hamstring) is out for Wednesday's game in Oklahoma City." The 24-year-old guard had been listed as day-to-day with the same hamstring problem before the change. The report gives an expected return date of Nov. 6. It does not say how long he is expected to be limited once he is back or whether further testing is planned.
What it means for the Cavaliers
Cleveland (4-3, sixth seed, one-game losing streak) visits the Thunder on Wednesday at 8:00 PM ET without Watson. Last season he averaged 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 32.8 minutes over three games. The Cavaliers are 4-2 with him this season and 0-1 without him. Without him, the minutes have gone to James Harden (33.5), Donovan Mitchell (33.4), Evan Mobley (32.8) and Jarrett Allen (27.9). Sam Merrill (24.1), Meleek Thomas (22.1) and Mario Hezonja (19.1) fill out the rotation. Jaylon Tyson (20.7 minutes in that stretch) is also out with a right ankle injury, which thins the wing group further.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Watson's Nov. 6 return date holds. The Cavaliers have not announced anything beyond the date on the report. Watch the status listed for the game after Oklahoma City, and whether the team moves him back to day-to-day before then. Tyson is also out with an ankle injury, so the Cavaliers' wing depth is worth tracking as well. Cleveland is looking to end a one-game losing streak at Oklahoma City.
Is Peyton Watson playing at the Thunder on Wednesday?
No. The injury report lists Watson as out for Wednesday's game at Oklahoma City with a right hamstring injury.
When will Peyton Watson be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Nov. 6. The Cavaliers have not announced anything beyond that date.