Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland will miss Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series vs. the Miami Heat. The team is focusing on his recovery from a sprained left great toe. Garland has been the Cavaliers’ linchpin this series, averaging 24 points and a team-high seven assists in the first two games of the series. After aggravating his injury late in Game 2 that might’ve been the case.
On Sunday, Garland was one of approximately ten Cavaliers players participating in an optional workout at the University of Miami. After holding out hope to test his mobility prior to Monday’s game, the Cavaliers ultimately ruled him out for another contest. They chose to be careful rather than creative. This marks Garland’s second consecutive game missed, following Cleveland’s commanding 121-84 victory in Game 3 on Saturday.
The Cavaliers have actually been better sans Garland this season, with a record of 5-3 when he sits. Still, it’s been his presence that has been most pivotal, with a stunning 62-15 record with him on the court including playoffs. Garland’s 20.6 ppg and 6.7 apg averages during the regular season paint a picture of just how valuable he is to the Cavs’ overall success.
As Garland continues to heal, the pressure is on the Cavaliers to seize the moment. If they take Game 4, they are able to give Hemsky a little more time to heal up. If it goes as hoped, this strategy would provide Garland with some more time to recover. He might be back for a prospective home opener in the Eastern Conference semifinals with either Indiana or Milwaukee, beginning no sooner than Saturday. If needed, a Game 5 would be played at Cleveland on Wednesday.
Here’s what Head Coach Kenny Atkinson had to say about Garland’s transition. He pointed out that the recovery timetable doesn’t appear nearly as grim as was initially feared.
“I think I’ve said this: I don’t think it’s an eight-week thing,” – Kenny Atkinson
He acknowledged the challenges of managing toe injuries, noting that “it’s managing pain and the toe’s a tough one. You’re just constantly hitting it.”
The Cavaliers should continue to rely on their depth in this important playoff stretch. Yet, despite the odds stacked against them without their star guard, they’re meeting that challenge head on. The team and city is definitely looking forward to what will be a pivotal Game 4. Their creativity, resourcefulness, and strength to thrive under pressure will soon be tested again.
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