The Cleveland Cavaliers weren’t fully healthy against the Miami Heat for their last two games. Still, they didn’t have any trouble sweeping their first-round opponents. The same doesn’t seem true against the Indiana Pacers. Even with Donovan Mitchell splashing 33 points, without Darius Garland, the team folded at home in Game 1. Their fans, anxious by the opening loss, are wondering just when their focal playmaker will return to action.
As per the updates, Garland’s status remains day-to-day. He suffered a turf toe, which ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne is rare for NBA players. And although there is a strong likelihood of the 25-year-old playing during this postseason, the ailment itself is much more complicated. A few seasons ago, the Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane suffered a similar injury.
He had to get surgery on his right toe to fully recover. But as discussed during the Hoop Collective podcast, Garland’s toe injury won’t prevent him from playing through it. However, the recovery process is much more than just getting surgery. “Like Desmond Bane, he missed a lot of time a few years back. And he’s still wearing those LeBron 20s because it’s the only shoe that can be modified in the way and kind of work for what he needs to have with his toe,” Tim MacMahon noted.
Given the Cleveland Cavaliers’ title aspirations for the season, Darius Garland is likely to aggravate his injury far more than its current extent. The offseason might include an early surgery. However, it goes beyond that. Judging from Bane’s case, it seems it’s pivotal to have appropriate footwear to accommodate the repaired toe.
Feb 20, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guards Darius Garland (10) and Donovan Mitchell (45) react during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Hence, aside from playing with what is a nagging injury, Garland is poised to have a complex recovery process when he does get some treatment during the offseason. In addition, “Turf toe takes a long time to fully heal,” Brian Windhorst pointed out. Hence, taking every precaution after what might be a deep playoff run will be very important for Garland.
The importance of Darius Garland
It’s not uncommon for NBA players to play with looming injuries during the postseason. Just like Darius Garland, even Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler are doing the same. It all really depends on how valuable the player is to the team. In Garland’s case, he is the primary ball handler, bringing the Cavaliers’ offense to life.
Not only that, but Garland has developed a great dynamic with Donovan Mitchell, who the Hoop Collective crew sees to be an amazing cornerstone. Out of Mitchell’s 206 assisted makes in the regular season, over 20% of those came from assists made by Garland. Not only that, but his stats boost incredibly when playing with his backcourt partner.
In two games of the postseason against the Heat, Mitchell averaged 30 points besides Darius Garland.
But more than being the ideal partner for the Cavaliers’ primary scorer, Garland is an expert at creating his own offense. He is averaging 24 points in the postseason in two games. In terms of playmaking, he is highly efficient, providing 7 assists while turning the ball over less than 2 times per game on average.
Likewise, it’s easy to understand why he is vital to the Cavaliers. Without his shooting prowess, the Cavs only shot 23.7% from three in their opening game against the Pacers. Garland’s presence provides an instant boost. From the Cavaliers’ five best shooting lineups this season, four of them feature the shifty point guard.
When playing against a fast-paced team like the Pacers, Garland’s ability to make plays and control the tempo are essential. If he does return for Game 2, so will the Cavaliers’ flair and systematic system.
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