Cavs vs. T-Wolves | New Cavalier De'Andre Hunter in starting lineup vs Minnesota

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Cavs vs. T-Wolves | New Cavalier De'Andre Hunter in starting lineup vs Minnesota

Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Mon, Feb 10, 2025 ·

1 min read

Will De'Andre Hunter start for the Cavs tonight?

Hunter will be in the starting lineup Monday night.

Max Strus has been ruled out with an ankle injury. Dean Wade (knee) and Isaac Okoro (shoulder) remain out and will likely be sidelined until after the All-Star break. Those three injuries effectively leave Hunter as the last one standing to enter the starting lineup against the Timberwolves.

Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson likes the additional size the 6-foot-8, 221-pound Hunter brings to the rotation at small forward.

"It's positional size," Atkinson said Sunday. "I know that's a catchphrase but, really, it's defensively his ability to guard different guys 1 through 5, and [Victor] Wembanyama the other night. I'm not saying the offense [part of it] is going to be easy, it's going to take some time, but I think first order of business is to get him to help us defensively. That's where we need it most right now."

Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter reacts after a missed shot against the Houston Rockets in the fourth quarter, Jan. 28, 2025, in Atlanta.

De'Andre Hunter stats this season

He's averaging 19 points on 46% shooting and makes 40% of his 3-point attempts.

Were De'Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome college teammates?

Hunter and Jerome were teammates at the University of Virginia. They helped the Cavaliers win the 2019 NCAA tournament national title . The two have remained close friends since.

After missing nearly all of last season with an injury, Jerome is enjoying a breakout season with the Cavs .