Darius Garland Final Injury Status, Cavaliers Vs. Nets
The NBA is officially back as the Cleveland Cavaliers open up the regular season against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. Cleveland will be slightly shorthanded as they've already ruled out their starting center Jarrett Allen.
But he isn't the only one dealing with lingering injuries.
Even Darius Garland was listed as questionable over the last 24 hours as J.B. Bickerstaff and his staff game-planned for Brooklyn. Now we know whether or not Garland will be available in the season opener.
There is good news, DG will be ACTIVE on Wednesday evening and will be in the starting lineup.
Feb 5, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
© Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Garland missed the team's final preseason game with what was believed to be minor at the time and wouldn't have long-term implications. The league injury report identified the problem as a "left hamstring, strain." That discomfort won't be enough to keep him off the floor for the team's opener.
Cleveland's starting point guard did go through his regular shootaround routine and it didn't appear that anything seemed off during this run-through.
Garland is obviously an important piece to the Cavs' success. He played in 96 games last season and averaged 21.6 points and 7.8 assists a game while shooting 46 percent from the floor and a career-best 41 percent from three.
Not having a player with this type of production in your lineup would be a bad a was to start the season. Cleveland needs to get off to a hot start this year and that starts with having their dynamic backcourt healthy.
