Darius Garland Injury Update: Cavs Star Suffers Back-to-Back Blows, Concerns Skyrocket Ahead of Playoffs

Darius Garland and his injury tales continue. The Cavaliers are playing against the Suns tonight and despite the concerns about Garland not suiting up after wrist/forearm difficulties after the Nets game last night; he took the floor. Cleveland is already shorthanded, as it is with key players like Donovan Mitchell and Max Strus out with different injuries. So adding the 24-year-old guard to the list is not ideal.

NBA reporter Chris Fedor tweeted that “#Cavs Darius Garland rolled his right ankle awkwardly. He walked gingerly to the bench.” It surely seems like Garland just cannot catch a break from injuries. 

It was in the late third quarter that Garland sustained the injury as he stepped on Devin Booker‘s foot. Injuries have had it out for the 2019 NBA draft pick since 2021. Every other month or so, Darius Garland gets hit. And they are not isolated to just one kind. Taking a look at the 2022 All-Star’s injury history; they range from shoulder, ankle, back, neck, eye, thumb, leg, hamstring, and more recently, jaw.

Garland had collided with the Boston Celtics’ big man Kristaps Porzingis on the 14th December 2023 game. Darius was driving to the basket when he crashed into Porzingis in the third quarter. It was revealed to be a fractured jaw and the 6’1 Vanderbilt product was sidelined for a month, restricted to a liquid diet. That’s the kind of injuries that come Garland’s way.

The Indiana native is averaging 18.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game this season. While it is a drop from the last two seasons, Garland is still coming off as one of the dominant players of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Phoenix Suns vs Cleveland Cavaliers

The first half was Cleveland’s, while the Suns reclaimed it with a solid second half. Even so, Phoenix still managed to get the upper hand offensively. The Cavs were off to a hot start, hitting 8-of-11 to begin the game. Darius Garland was the man for the ‘City of Champions’ as he scored 21 points in 12 minutes of game time in the first quarter!

Read More: Donovan Mitchell Lashes Out at Fake Darius Garland Narrative: “Always Likes to Create Controversy”

With Booker returning to complete the Big 3, it was only a matter of time before the Suns would outscore the short-handed Cavaliers. Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Booker all showcased their scoring prowess as Phoenix managed to finish the first half 63-70. Moving to the second half, Booker’s possession cut the deficit to three.

Despite missing the last four games with an ankle injury, he didn’t show any signs of being out of it. From there on, the Suns kept the rhythm steady and finished the night 117-111.