Brodric Thomas to make first career NBA start for Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday night – cleveland.com

SACRAMENTO — Injuries have forced another lineup change for the Cleveland Cavaliers. They also create opportunity.

Sources tell cleveland.com, swingman Brodric Thomas will make his first career NBA start Saturday night against the Sacramento Kings.

With Jarrett Allen sidelined because of a concussion suffered early in Friday’s 100-86 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Cavaliers not having another true center following the JaVale McGee trade and Andre Drummond’s buyout, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff will start Saturday’s game with a small lineup that features Thomas at the 3. Thomas will be joined by Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro and Larry Nance Jr.

“We’ve got to play the guys that we have available,” Bickerstaff said a little more than an hour before tipoff. “With the trade and those things, and Jarrett being hurt obviously limits us there. But we’ll put five guys that we got out there and expect them to go and compete.”

Sources say the Cavs considered going a different way, pairing Dean Wade and Nance together in the frontcourt — a combination that got some run Friday. But both are expected to log heavy minutes at the 5 and Bickerstaff thought it made more sense to stagger them. Plus the Kings often lean on a three-guard lineup featuring De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield.

Thomas, 6-foot-5 and 185 pounds, has played 10 total games in his NBA career, including six since signing a two-way deal with Cleveland, joining the NBA team following the conclusion of the G League season.

In 20 minutes Friday, Thomas scored five points, all at the free throw line, to go with three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. The 24-year-old undrafted rookie is averaging 4.3 points, 1.2 assists and 1.0 rebounds with the Cavs.

Even though Cleveland added 7-footer Isaiah Hartenstein in the McGee deal with Denver, the youngster is not yet ready to make his Cavaliers debut. Hartenstein completed his physical and joined the team in Sacramento late Saturday evening following a lengthy flight. He’s expected to be up to speed enough for the road trip finale against Utah on Monday.