INDIANAPOLIS -- As it turns out, George Hill's happy homecoming will be short-lived. According to head coach Tyronn Lue, the Cleveland Cavaliers point guard will miss the team's Game 4 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals matchup with the Indiana Pacers on Sunday due to a back injury initially suffered earlier in the series.
Jose Calderon will start at point guard in Hill's place.
A starter in 24 regular season games after having been acquired from the Sacramento Kings at the NBA trade deadline, Hill has been a key player for the Cavs since arriving in Cleveland. That was apparent on Friday, when the Indianapolis native scored 11 first-half points as the Cavs jumped out to a 57-40 halftime lead.
Cleveland, however, would proceed to squander its 17-point advantage, due in part to Hill only being able to play 9 second-half minutes as his back "locked up" according to Lue. Hill, who entered Sunday listed as questionable with back spasms, was initially injured on a screen by Pacers forward Trevor Booker in Game 1.
Without Hill on the floor, the Cavs will now lean on Calderon, LeBron James and Jordan Clarkson to handle point guard duties. Lue said on Sunday that James will now be forced to spend more extended stretches handling the ball, but is starting Calderon so that the 4-time MVP wouldn't have to do it the whole game.
Trailing Indiana 2-1, the Cavs are looking to tie the best-of-seven series up before heading back to Cleveland for Game 5 on Wednesday. Tip-off for Game 4 is slated for 8:30 p.m. ET
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