Both the Atlanta Hawks and the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers are fielding understaffed lineups, yet they come into their Wednesday confrontation with assurance following triumphs on Tuesday.

Cleveland, missing key performers Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, and Evan Mobley (who departed due to a left ankle injury), overcame the NBA-leading Boston Celtics 105-104 after erasing a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Backup forward Dean Wade exploded for 20 of his career-high 23 points in the ultimate quarter, igniting the improbable comeback success.

“This ranks pretty high,” Wade said of performance. “It felt good. In the fourth quarter, the rim looked really big.”

“We just never stopped fighting. We’ve got full belief in ourselves and each other. Tonight really showed that no matter what happens, we’re going to play hard and play together.”

Wade had been averaging merely 5.1 points per game prior to his explosive scoring surge from the bench, providing a much-needed offensive boost for the injury-stricken Cavaliers.

Mitchell, the leading scorer for Cleveland with an average of 28 points per game, has been absent since February 28 due to a bone contusion on his left knee. He underwent a platelet-rich plasma injection for accelerated healing and will be out of action for at least another two games.

Strus (12.2 points per game) was sidelined on Tuesday due to a strain in his right knee.

Mobley was the most recent addition to the injury list, leaving the game in the third quarter and subsequently spotted on crutches.

“We’ve been in situations where we were short-handed, we’ve been down, but it seems like every single time it happens, somebody else finds a way to step up,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Our guys won’t quit.”

Likewise, Atlanta has grappled with health and availability challenges in recent weeks. Star point guard Trae Young‘s last appearance was on February 23 when he suffered a ligament tear in his left hand. Young, averaging 26.4 points and 10.8 assists per game, will be out for at least three additional weeks as he recuperates from surgery.

Atlanta center Onyeka Okongwu (10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds per game) has been sidelined for seven consecutive games due to a sprained toe.

Nevertheless, the Hawks secured a 116-100 victory on the road against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, a matchup in which Atlanta never trailed.

Atlanta held a 33-15 lead after the first quarter, but the Knicks rallied to equalize the contest late in the third quarter. Atlanta scored the final five points in the third quarter, then maintained an eight-point lead before New York closed in twice in the fourth quarter. On both occasions, the Hawks had a response.

“We really executed well down the stretch on both ends,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “We did give up a couple threes, but they were contested, which has been a point of emphasis for us.”

Atlanta’s emerging third-year player Jalen Johnson amassed 26 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in the victory. De’Andre Hunter added 22 points coming off the bench.

“(De’Andre) came in just ready to shoot,” Snyder said. “I thought he mixed it up really well in the drive.”

“Jalen’s defensive rebounding is really important for us, and his ability to play-make, as well. Obviously we’re excited with how both of those guys played.”

The Cavaliers aim to complete a four-game season series sweep of the Hawks, having triumphed in the initial three matchups by an average of 17.3 points.