How Cavs big man Evan Mobley saved the season with one play

Although Orlando forward Franz Wagner has been getting the better of Mobley all series long, the Cavs’ star big man got the last laugh in Game 5 and, more importantly, gave the extra effort to help save Cleveland’s season.

“The game was on the line,” Mobley said. “I just went for it.”

Evan Mobley’s swat turns the Cavs fortunes around

Early into this series, Cleveland was up 2-0 on Orlando but Mobley had been inconsistent. Sure, there were moments where he showcased how lethal he could be on offense, especially when he opened up Game 1 with several 3-point makes. But, he was still averaging only 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.0 blocks in 34.2 minutes per game against the Magic, which doesn’t exactly scream franchise superstar.

It only got more chaotic when things shifted to Orlando, with Mobley’s averages going down t0 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.5 blocks in 27.8 minutes per game and the Cavs losing two in a row. With Cleveland on their back foot heading back for a pivotal Game 5 at home, the chaos hit an apex for Mobley when he learned he would be starting in place of Jarrett Allen, the Cavs’ best overall player against the Magic, who was dealing with a rib injury.

Instead of shying away from the challenge, Mobley instead rose to the occasion, showcasing why he has the makings of a franchise cornerstone for Cleveland down the stretch. In the first half, Mobley had only been able to put up four points and four rebounds but was aware that his team needed even more from him to regain the series lead over Orlando.

In the second half, Mobley did exactly that, finishing the game with 14 points, a game-high 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocked shots in 39 minutes of action, including the game-saving block on Wagner in the final seconds of regulation.

“Just when you think you have [Mobley] beat, he’s right back there,” Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell said. “I told him in the locker room, it’s the same thing he did to me before I got traded here in Utah. We were in a close game. I’m driving to the basket, I’m like, ‘All right, I got a layup.’ And next thing you know, here he comes out of nowhere.”

With Evan Mobley’s extra effort, he has put the Cavs firmly in the driver’s seat of closing this first round series against the Magic. Sure, it’ll require Cleveland to win in Orlando, something they haven’t done yet. If the Cavs are still without Allen for Game 6, getting a win against the pesky Magic will be tough. But, with a player like Mobley showing his defensive chops, what might seem impossible starts to become possible.