The Cleveland Cavaliers received a major boost in their game against the New York Knicks on Thursday as Evan Mobley returned to action ahead of schedule.

Despite the Cavaliers' narrow 124-126 defeat, Mobley returned to the court after missing only five games, displaying excellent form and boosting the team's confidence for the remainder of the season.

Mobley suffered a Grade 1 left calf strain on December 12, and the Cavaliers initially expected him to be out for two to four weeks. However, the current NBA Defensive Player of the Year recovered much faster than expected, returning in less than two weeks.

In the game against the Knicks, Mobley came off the bench and played 25 minutes, scoring 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting and grabbing 9 rebounds, becoming an important fulcrum for the Cavaliers' interior defense.

Out of concern for his health, Mobley was not included in the starting lineup, instead starting from the bench, a decision similar to that of other players who have recently returned from injury. The Cavaliers are clearly more focused on his long-term health than his short-term workload.

Overall, Mobley's return comes just as the Cavaliers are finding their rhythm. This season, he's averaging a career-high 19.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, making him an indispensable core player on both ends of the court. The Cavaliers were plagued by injuries at the start of the season and currently have a 17-14 record, but they've already won two straight games before heading to New York.

Despite failing to extend their winning streak in this game, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson stated that he has seen the team gradually building momentum. For a team that boasted a record-breaking 64 wins in the 2024-25 season, Mobley's healthy return is undoubtedly a crucial step in their renewed push for a top ranking.