The Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers are set to start their second-round playoff series this Sunday. The Cavs are coming off a dominant sweep of the Miami Heat, while the Pacers handled the hobbled Milwaukee Bucks in just five games. The Cavaliers are the better team, but as we’ve learned, anything can happen in the NBA playoffs. Unfortunately, playoff injuries can often determine a team’s fate in the postseason, and the Cavaliers are dealing with that right now. Darius Garland, the Cavs’ star point guard, has been dealing with a toe sprain that kept him out of the last two playoff games for Cleveland. With Game 1 quickly approaching, Garland’s injury status could be a determining factor for both Game 1 and the series beyond.
Darius Garland’s Injury Status Could Determine Cavaliers’ Future
Garland’s Toe Injury
Garland was solid in the Cavs’ first two games against the Heat in round one. He averaged 24 points, seven assists, and 2.5 rebounds in the Cavaliers’ victories. At the end of Game 2, however, Garland re-aggravated his toe, an injury he suffered towards the end of the regular season. This kept him out of the next two Cavaliers’ wins.
The severity of Garland’s toe injury is somewhat unclear. The Cavaliers likely didn’t feel the need to push him for Games 3 and 4 against the Heat. They handled them quite easily without their All-Star guard. Now, Garland’s injury status for Game 1 against the Pacers is in question, which could have huge ramifications.
Garland’s injury status for Game 1 has yet to be officially revealed. However, there have been multiple quotes from teammates and coaches that have shed some light on whether we should expect to see Garland suit up for Game 1.
Coach Kenny Atkinson said that Garland is “Day to day right now. There’s pain and all that. But the good thing when we watch him shooting right now, he’s moving well”. Garland’s backcourt co-star, Donovan Mitchell, added regarding Garland’s status, “It’s great that we took care of business in games three and four. Now he got some rest and he’ll be back… Ideally, he’ll be back on Sunday.”
Garland and the Cavaliers Moving Forward
Unlike the Heat, the Cavaliers likely won’t have the pleasure of playing things safe against the Pacers. If Garland is unable to suit up for Game 1, the Cavaliers will have their work cut out for them. The Pacers are a lot better than the Heat, and missing arguably your second-best player for a playoff game can put you down 0-1 easily.
Atkinson added regarding Garland’s status for Game 1, “I’m not going to make a judgment either way… But sure, there’s some concern there. I could see it go either way. I think it’s something he’s going to have to deal with, probably the rest of the playoffs.”
If the Garland is not 100% for the rest of the playoffs, the Cavaliers may have some major issues down the line. For Game 1 of this series, Garland’s status may not make or break them, but if Cleveland advances and has to face the Celtics at less than 100%, that is concerning. First, they have to get there, and that will start with Game 1 on Sunday.
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