The Cleveland Cavaliers were able to get a blowout win against the Miami Heat in Game 3, and they did it without their starting point guard. Darius Garland was ruled out for Game 3 because of a re-aggravated toe injury that he suffered in Game 2. Luckily, the Cavs did not need Garland to get their latest win, but it would be great to have him back on the court.
With Game 4 approaching, head coach Kenny Atkinson gave a two-word message about Garland’s injury and offered an update, according to reporter Jared Weiss.
“Cavs guard Darius Garland went through a no-contact workout at Cavs practice today, but was not able to go at full speed. Coach Kenny Atkinson left his status at ‘We’ll see.’ But he said that the series lead being at 3-0 won’t factor into Garland playing. Medical and DG make the call,” Weiss wrote on Bluesky.
The Cavs can close out the series in Game 4 with them being up 3-0, and it could be a tough game because the Heat know what’s at stake. Nonetheless, the Cavs have shown all season that they’ve been ready for moments like this, and it should be a game that they’re ready to play, whether Garland is on the floor or not.
Darius Garland working to play in Game 4
It seems like Garland is doing what he can to try and be available for Game 4, but if it’s in his best interest, the Cavs may sit him.
Everyone else is also looking for Garland to come back on the floor after the remarks he made about Tyler Herro at the end of Game 2 when he was asked how the Cavs were able to dominate on offense despite the Heat’s defensive pressure.
“Pick on Tyler Herro,” Garland said.
That caused some words to be thrown on Herro’s side after he was asked about Garland’s comments.
“To go to the media to talk about gameplan and this and that says a lot about him. I’m not worried about Darius Garland,” Herro said to reporters. “… Somebody that doesn’t play defense shouldn’t be talking either. He don’t play any defense, and we’ll see that tomorrow. He don’t play no D.”
With the anticipation building up, it was sad not to see Garland play in Game 3, but he still has a chance to come out in play in the next game. The Cavs will be looking to wrap up the series as fast as possible so they can get some extra rest for the next round.
