MIAMI — Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson grinned Monday night when discussing the team getting closer to full strength.
So much for that.
Cleveland’s injury report has expanded ahead of a second straight game in Miami.
All-Star point guard Darius Garland, who re-injured his surgically repaired left big toe in the second half of Monday’s 140-138 overtime loss, is listed as out. The Cavs are classifying it as injury management related to his offseason surgery as opposed to any kind of new diagnosis.
Along with Garland, Cleveland will also be without Jaylon Tyson (concussion), Donovan Mitchell (rest) and Evan Mobley (rest). Power forward Larry Nance Jr., who has been sidelined the last two games because of a minor knee contusion, is officially listed as questionable.
Wednesday is the second of a three-game-in-four-night stretch. It’s also the first of a back-to-back, with the Cavaliers returning home for a central division matchup with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.
Garland’s status is most notable — although an official injury update is expected soon.
Around the two-minute mark of the second quarter Monday night, Garland came up hobbling after an awkward step on a drive to the basket that sent him to the floor. As the whistle blew, with Garland earning a pair of free throws, he remained on the hardwood for a few seconds, reaching for his foot and pounding the ground in frustration. He gathered himself, gingerly rose to his feet, shook off the pain, made both freebies and stayed in the game.
But Garland kept limping and eventually got taken out, retreating toward the locker room with a minute left until halftime.
He returned for the start of the second half. Even played the first five-plus minutes without issue. But then removed himself with a purposeful take foul.
Garland exited the court in agony — his second trip to the locker room. He never came back, causing concern inside the organization.
“Just hope he is OK,” Mobley said. “That’s the main thing going through my head. Just hope he is OK.”
After undergoing surgery on June 9 to alleviate pain and pressure in his big toe that plagued Garland throughout the Cavaliers’ playoff run this past spring, Garland spent months rehabbing and recovering. He missed all of the preseason and the first seven games of 2025-26. He finally made his debut last week, on Nov. 5 against Philadelphia. Monday night was his third appearance this season. Until then, he hadn’t had any setbacks.
Garland’s status beyond Wednesday night in Miami is unclear at this point.
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