Donovan Mitchell returns from injury as Cavaliers start three-game road trip

Jan. 23—Donovan Mitchell is ready to play after missing three games with a groin injury, just in time to help the Cavaliers navigate a three-game road trip that starts Jan. 24 in Madison Square Garden in a game with the Knicks.

The road trip ends with back-to-back games in Houston and Oklahoma City on Jan. 26 and 27. By the time the Cavs return to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for a Jan. 29 game with the Clippers, they will have passed the 50-game mark of the season.

Mitchell, ninth in the NBA in scoring with an average of 28.4 points a game, was a full participant in practice on Jan. 23 at Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence. To say the Cavaliers need him in the lineup is an obvious understatement.

The Cavaliers are 26-14 when Mitchell plays and 3-5 when he doesn't. They lost in Memphis and at home to Golden State while he missed time with his recent groin injury. They did beat Milwaukee at the FieldHouse without Mitchell, but Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was out with a knee injury.

Cavaliers forward Dean Wade played 10 minutes against the Bucks after missing six weeks with a shoulder injury. Wade didn't attempt a shot from the field. He grabbed one rebound and blocked a shot in the Cavaliers' 114-102 victory.

Wade's playing time could increase against the Knicks. The simple fact that he is back in his role off the bench, coupled with Mitchell returning, means the Cavaliers are healthier than they have been all season. Point guard Ricky Rubio made his return on Jan.12 after missing more than a year recovering from a torn left ACL.

"It was very frustrating, but the only thing you can do is keep rehabbing and keep a positive mindset," Wade said after practice Jan. 23.

Wade said he expected to be back sooner, but the Cavaliers are always cautious when dealing with injuries, as evidenced by the way they brought Rubio along slowly. Wade said his teammates continually encouraged him as he returned from his shoulder injury.

"I thought the team two years ago and last year were really close, but I don't think they were nearly as close as this team is," Wade said. "Everyone is best friends. We're always around each other. To be a part of it is special."

The Cavaliers are fifth in the Eastern Conference at 29-19, 6.5 games behind the front-running Boston Celtics. Milwaukee and Brookyn are tied for third at 29-17. Philadelphia is second in the conference at 30-16 — two games ahead of the Cavaliers.

The road has not been kind to the Cavs. Their 20-5 home record is the best in the East, but their 9-14 road record is the worst among the top eight teams in the conference.

"Our shooting has let us down on the road,' Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the Jan. 23 practice. "That's something we have to continue to work through. When you go back and watch, I don't think we've played poorly. I think we've done the right things.

"At the end of the day we just didn't make enough shots. We had some off nights. Don't get me wrong, but I think we've played the game the right way on the road. We just haven't done enough to win."

This road trip could provide an opportunity to change those results. The Knicks (25-23), Rockets (10-36) and Thunder (23-24) all have inferior records to that of the Cavaliers