Cleveland's Australian guard Matthew Dellavedova is expected to be out of NBA action until after this weekend's All-Star break with a hamstring injury.
Dellavedova again sat out Cleveland's home game against the Sacramento Kings and will also miss their match against the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT).
New Cleveland coach Tyrone Lue indicated that despite Dellavedova's desire not to miss much time he won't risk the back-up guard.
"I think the most important thing, for me, is just getting his health right going into the second stretch of the season," Lue told Cleveland.com.
Certainly the Cavs have been better off with Delly than without him - he has been on the injured list since February 3.
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Heading into the Sacramento game they have gone 1-2 with losses to Charlotte and Boston and a win over New Orleans.
And in all those games the impact from the bench has lessened with the second unit struggling on defence without Dellavedova's hustle and averaging just 20 points per game.
Lue admitted Dellavedova's absence is hurting his team at both ends of the floor.
"I think Delly brings a toughness," Lue said.
"He can guard ones and twos because he's strong enough. He's physical. Offensively, he gives us a great chance also because he knows what we want to run. He has a great feel for the game and getting guys involved offensively."
If Dellavedova can overcome his hamstring injury he may return on February 18 when Cleveland host the Chicago Bulls.
