Cavaliers’ Darius Garland Ruled Out of Game 4 Against Miami Heat with Sprained Toe
The Cleveland Cavaliers have confirmed that All-Star guard Darius Garland will miss Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Miami Heat on Monday night, according to reports from ESPN. Garland is currently dealing with a sprained left great toe, which he aggravated late in Game 2 of the series.
The Cavaliers, who lead the series 3-0, will look to close out the Heat on Monday, with Game 5, if necessary, scheduled for Wednesday at Cleveland. If the Cavaliers are successful in Game 4, they will have a significant break before their next game, which would be the home series opener in the Eastern Conference semifinals against either Indiana or Milwaukee. This matchup is not expected to start until Saturday at the earliest.
As reported by ESPN, Garland sat out Cleveland’s 121-84 win in Game 3 on Saturday and attempted to participate in some on-court activities prior to Monday’s game. However, the Cavaliers ultimately decided to sit him out again as a precautionary measure. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson provided insight into Garland’s injury, stating, “I think I’ve said this: I don’t think it’s an eight-week thing. I think it’s managing pain, and the toe’s a tough one. You’re just constantly hitting it.”
Garland’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Cavaliers, who have relied heavily on his impressive form throughout the series. In the first two games, Garland averaged 24 points and a team-best seven assists per game. For the season, he averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists for Cleveland, with the team boasting a 62-15 record when he plays, including playoffs, and 5-3 when he does not.
According to ESPN, Garland was present at an optional workout on Sunday at the University of Miami, but did not participate in any scrimmaging during the session. The Cavaliers will look to secure a decisive win in Game 4 without their star guard, who has been instrumental in their success thus far.
The Cavaliers’ decision to rule Garland out of Game 4 is a cautious one, with the team clearly prioritising his health and wellbeing. As Atkinson explained, the focus is on managing Garland’s pain levels and ensuring his toe injury does not worsen. With the series firmly in their control, the Cavaliers can afford to take a measured approach with their star player. ESPN reports that the Cavaliers will continue to monitor Garland’s progress in the coming days.
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