Darius Garland’s night took an unexpected turn after a scary collision with the towering Jonas Valanciunas. The incident unfolded in the second quarter when Garland, attempting to navigate an overhead pass from Evan Mobley, collided with Valanciunas’ elbow, leaving the Cavaliers star holding his head in pain.

Danny Cunningham of Inside Shot confirmed the terrible injury with his instant tweet. “Now Darius Garland is down after a collision with Jonas Valanciunas. Looked like Valanciunas’ elbow hit the back of Garland’s head.”

The sight of the 24-year-old on the ground under the hoop had fans and teammates visibly concerned. While he managed to walk to the bench under his own power, he ultimately headed to the locker room with the head athletic trainer, Steve Spiro, sparking fears about his availability moving forward.

This marked Jonas Valanciunas’ second collision of the quarter, as the 6’11” center had already sent Donovan Mitchell to the locker room earlier in the game. Darius Garland had been off to a solid start, contributing 12 points, three assists, and one steal in just 17 minutes before the unfortunate incident.

At halftime, the Cavaliers held a comfortable 60-42 lead over the Wizards, with Evan Mobley leading the way with 13 points and six rebounds. And the 2022 All-Star was right behind him with 10 points. However, Darius’ absence could cast a shadow over the remainder of the game—and potentially the Cavs’ immediate future.

Cunningham tweeted the latest update. And it’s not comforting. “#Cavs say Darius Garland will not return.” 

Needless to say, this sudden misfortune will see the ‘Buckeye State’ facing a significant challenge. The Vanderbilt alum’s ability to orchestrate offense and hit clutch shots has been crucial to their success.

Fortunately, the other victim of Valanciunas tonight – Mitchell – did return, after briefly exiting because of a shoulder injury. And yes, it was also a collision. If the Cavs were to lose the ‘Spida,’ even temporarily, along with Darius Garland, it would have been a real blow.

The Cavs’ depth faces the test as Darius Garland’s status remains ‘unclear’

Despite the two injuries, Cleveland came out of the battle with a 118-87 win over the Wizards. But it still left a cloud hanging over Garland’s situation. The former McD’s All-American’s shooting splits this season – 49.2% from the field, 45.2% from the deep, and 94.9% from the charity stripe – in itself showcases his elite efficiency across multiple scoring areas.

While the Cavaliers’ depth has been a key factor in their success, Garland’s absence could be a challenge for the team. However, Kenny Atkinson offered some reassurance following the matchup. “Darius Garland seemed fine in the locker room after the game and that he doesn’t anticipate him needing to miss any time,” he said, via Danny Cunningham.

Although this is a positive update, it’s clear that Darius needs to be monitored as ‘The 216’ prepares for upcoming matchups. The young guard’s efficiency and role in the team’s offense cannot be overstated. But with Atkinson’s optimistic update, there is hope that Garland will avoid any prolonged absence.

That said, the franchise’s ability to navigate this challenge will be crucial to their playoff aspirations. But as of now, the Cleveland Cavaliers continue gracing the top of the Eastern Conference with a league-best 19-3 record this season.