George Hill out for Game 5

George Hill will miss Game 5 as he continues to deal with back spasms.

Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue confirmed the news during his pregame media availability. Jose Calderon will start at point guard in Hill’s place.

Hill injured his back in Game 1 of the series against the Indiana Pacers on a hard screen from Trevor Booker. He re-aggravated the injury in the third quarter of Game 3 and has been undergoing treatment since.

Part of that treatment included receiving four injections in his back between Games 3 and 4, but he was still too stiff to suit up on Sunday night. Hill did participate in practice on Tuesday and in Wednesday’s shootaround, as well as receive treatment.

Lue did not go into detail in regards to Hill’s rehab process over the last few days.

“I know he took some shots to try and get himself ready to play, but that is pretty much all I know,” he said.

The Cavs certainly miss Hill’s length on the wings when it comes to perimeter defense. Offensively, he also provides consistent ball handling taking some pressure off LeBron James. Hill is averaging 8.7 points and and 1.7 assists so far in the playoffs in three games.