The Cleveland Cavaliers are on the road for Games 3 and 4 against the Indiana Pacers in their second-round series. The Cavaliers are down 0-2 in the series and are still waiting for Darius Garland to return from a toe injury. Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson provided an update on Donovan Mitchell’s backcourt mate ahead of Game 3.
Atkinson told reporters that he wants Garland to make sure he feels fully comfortable before making his return, according to Right Down Euclid writer Evan Dammarell. Garland is an All-Star talent and the orchestrator of one of the NBA’s best offenses. Without him Cleveland struggled to score despite their talent across the roster.
Garland hasn’t played in the second round after suffering a toe injury against the Miami Heat in the first round. The Cavaliers didn’t need him against the Heat, but the Pacers are a big step up in competition. Even 48 points from Mitchell wasn’t enough for Cleveland to win Game 2 thanks to Tyrese Haliburton’s heroics.
Garland, DeAndre Hunter, and Evan Mobley all sat out Game 2 with various injuries. Mitchell and Jarrett Allen did everything they could, but Haliburton sealed the deal with his second game-winner of the postseason.
After two upsets in each series, both of the underdogs in the East’s second round are up 2-0. The Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics were the overwhelming favorites to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals after cruising through the regular season. Now that injuries have bothered them and their opponents are tougher, things are getting real for each team.
Garland is a key piece to a potential Cavaliers comeback, but Atkinson didn’t say anything about when he could return. Regardless, Cleveland’s chances to pull off a comeback go way up when Garland, Hunter, and Mobley come back to the team. However, they need to start their comeback in Game 3 to avoid an insurmountable deficit.
