Dion Waiters Injury: Updates on Cavaliers Star's Abdomen and Return

Matt FitzgeraldDec 12, 2014

Dion Waiters missed the second half of Friday's game against the Pelicans with abdominal pain, but would return for Monday's game against the Hornets.

Waiters Plays vs. Hornets

Waiters Exits With Abdominal Pain

Friday, Dec. 12

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters left the team's game against the New Orleans Pelicans prior to the second half after experiencing abdominal pain.

Bleacher Report's Ethan Skolnick reported the details on Waiters' status:

Waiters is one of several young, promising players on the Cavaliers roster that made a return for superstar LeBron James feasible in the first place.

The Associated Press' Tom Withers noticed how James mentored and embraced Waiters even before the 2014-15 NBA season began:

During the Cavs' media day in September, Waiters discussed how he worked in the offseason to prepare for the golden opportunity created by the arrivals of James and Kevin Love.

"I'm probably going to get a lot of open shots, so I worked on a lot of catch and shoot," said Waiters, via Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor. "If you're getting open shots, you've got to be able to knock them down."

An improved jump shot to add to Waiters' underrated passing ability and knack for slashing to the rim is bound to help him live up to the potential the Cavs saw when they chose him fourth overall in the 2012 NBA draft.

Longtime veteran Mike Miller and rookie second-round draft pick Joe Harris comprise the players next up in the rotation to fill in the 2-guard spot while Waiters recovers. Matthew Dellavedova ought to see time at shooting guard when Cleveland coach David Blatt deploys smaller lineups, too.

Miller is a known sharpshooter from three-point range, while Harris will likely continue in more of a secondary role since Miller has past experience playing alongside James with the Miami Heat. That innate chemistry and superior experience from Miller will help absorb the blow of Waiters' absence.

With the likes of James, Love and All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving still on the floor, the Cavs will continue to be regarded as a force to be reckoned with and a championship favorite. But the sooner Waiters comes back, the better the typical starting five can jell in a prospective push for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.