The Cleveland Cavaliers are 12-0 so far in the 2024-25 NBA season. It has been a successful start to the campaign to say the least, and Darius Garland is playing an impactful role. Garland, though, endured a down season in 2023-24. The Cavs guard recently addressed his 2024-25 campaign, a season in which he dealt with injury concerns, via NBA on ESPN.
“Just another bump in the road,” Garland said of dealing with adversity in 2023-24. “I mean, adversity always comes with anything that you do in life. It’s never in my plans, but God always puts you through tough times, I just had to go through that. I’m glad just to be back healthy this year, rocking with the guys. We’re really rolling right now so just got to keep it going. 12 games is good but we just got to keep it going.”
Garland did not play up to his expectations last year but injuries certainly played a role in his underperformance. The former All-Star averaged 18 points per game on 44.6 percent field goal and 37.1 percent three-point shooting. He also averaged 6.5 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per outing.
So far in 2024-25 with the Cavs, Garland is averaging 20.2 points, 6.5 assists, 1.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Garland is also shooting 52.6 percent field goal and 45.9 percent three-point shooting.
Garland, 24, is one of the better guards in the NBA. He may be on track to earn his second All-Star selection this season. Of course, it is still early in the year. With that being said, Garland is unquestionably playing at a high level.
The Cavs may not go undefeated all season long (although anything is possible) but Cleveland has an opportunity to make serious noise in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers will attempt to remain undefeated on Wednesday against a Philadelphia 76ers team that has struggled to begin the new campaign.
