Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland became frustrated after uncalled fouls and increased physicality on defense had a multitude of painful outcomes and injuries following a loss to the Indiana Pacers, Cleveland.com Cavs reporter Chris Fedor wrote in a Friday article.
“The whole thing about the league taking care of the players, it seems like we’re not doing that as much this year,” Garland said. “At least, the way we did in previous years.”
Darius Garland suffered a thumb injury in the fourth quarter of the Pacers game that threw off his rhythm before he shot two free throws. The 22-year-old guard shook his arm and became less active in the Cavs’ defense as he started to feel pain in his right hand, losing his balance as forward Oshae Brissett hit his right hand on a steal attempt while Garland tried to barrel past Brissett and Pacers guard T.J. McConnell. Garland then collided with forward Jalen Smith, causing both to fall to the ground before Garland ran toward the Cavs bench without lifting his right arm.
Darius Garland continued to crouch over and hold his thumb on the next few possessions before the Cavs eventually called a timeout. He returned a few minutes later with his thumb wrapped, choosing to pass the ball off and mainly use his left arm on defense as he could not find a way to score a single point after the injury.
To a frustrated Garland, whose left hand was wrapped in ice following a game against the San Antonio Spurs, this was nothing new.
“Just getting hacked all season,” Darius Garland said. “Nothing has changed. The physicality isn’t a factor at all. It’s the whistle not being blown at the right time when it’s a foul, an obvious foul. Some of this stuff we should be reviewing.”