Nae’Qwan Tomlin’s 2026/27 debut will be delayed, according to the Cavaliers, who announced today that the forward has been diagnosed with a lower back stress reaction and will be reevaluated in approximately three or four weeks (Twitter link via Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com).

Tomlin missed the entire preseason as a result of the ailment and still hadn’t been cleared to practice, as we noted earlier this morning. Based on his updated timeline, he’ll miss at least the first 11 games of Cleveland’s season, even if he’s reevaluated in three weeks and is cleared to play at that point. In all likelihood, his absence will extend beyond that.

Tomlin, who will turn 26 in December, was a regular contributor off the bench for the Cavaliers in his second NBA season, appearing in 64 games and averaging 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per night in 2025/26. His performance in that reserve role earned him a promotion from his two-way contract to the standard roster — he signed a guaranteed two-year minimum-salary contract in February.

Even when he returns, Tomlin may find himself on the outside looking in of Kenny Atkinson’s usual rotation, with Sam Merrill, Mario Hezonja, and Jaylon Tyson expected to be the team’s primary wing/forward reserves. Still, his absence to open the season will hurt a Cleveland team that’s only carrying 14 players on standard contracts, including one – big man Khalifa Diop – who is dealing with a left knee injury and is unlikely to play an NBA role once he’s healthy.