LAS VEGAS — So much for Craig Porter Jr. capitalizing on this Summer League opportunity.
Porter, the third-year player who was expected to be one of the on-court leaders for the summer Cavs, will not play in the second tournament game on Saturday afternoon because of left hamstring soreness.
It’s unclear whether Porter will be available for either of the two remaining games — Sunday vs. Miami and Wednesday against Sacramento.
Speaking with confidence and maturity recently, the 25-year-old Porter said he viewed this summer league stint as a potential springboard into the 2025-26 campaign — a season that could lead to his biggest NBA opportunity following Ty Jerome’s free agency departure.
But in the first half of Thursday’s summer league opener — a 116-115 loss to rival Indiana — Porter stepped awkwardly and eventually exited the court in discomfort, ruled out for the remainder of the game. He did not participate in Friday’s practice at a nearby high school.
“I understand what’s at stake and everything as far as all the opportunities I have to obviously get better as a player, understand what my role could be next year with the new additions, with people we lost and everything,” Porter said. “I’m just approaching it as I’m the Darius (Garland) or Donovan Mitchell of this team. I have to be the vocal leader, the one who leads on and off the court and just overall carry the load for everyone.”
Now Porter, one of four NBA roster guys the Cavs brought to Vegas, won’t get that chance. That responsibility will shift to 2024 first-rounder Jaylon Tyson, two-way forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin and rookie Tyrese Proctor, the 49th pick in the 2025 draft.
In two NBA seasons, Porter is averaging 4.6 points and 1.9 assists in 11.4 minutes.
The Cavs will tip-off Sunday’s packed summer league slate against the Milwaukee Bucks.
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