MIAMI — The Cavs can breathe a sigh of relief.
All-Star point guard Darius Garland, who left Monday’s 140-138 overtime loss against the Miami Heat early after re-injuring his surgically repaired toe, has been diagnosed with a contusion.
Garland will not play Wednesday night in Miami. His status beyond that is uncertain, as he will receive daily treatment and continue with the already-established post-surgery management plan.
The injury occurred during the second quarter when Garland made incidental contact with Heat forward Nikola Jovic on a drive to the basket. Garland took an awkward step and fell to the ground. Before getting up, he reached for his feet and pounded the hardwood in frustration.
Despite that scary moment, Garland was able to keep playing — until midway through the third quarter, when he felt pain in his toe again, committed a foul on purpose and exited to the locker room. He was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game, causing concerned inside the organization.
Garland, who was not made available to the media postgame, met with team doctors Monday and Tuesday. That further evaluation revealed a contusion — the best-case scenario given what Garland has been through the last five months.
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, he 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.
A two-time All-Star, Garland is averaging 13.0 points and 5.0 assists in 24.3 minutes this season.
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