PHILADELPHIA — Injuries continue to be a theme of the Cavs’ unpredictable season.
Add two more.
Point guard Darius Garland and steady reserve Sam Merrill, both of whom left Wednesday’s 133-107 win over the Philadelphia with injuries, have been ruled out for Friday night’s rematch.
Garland has right great toe soreness while Merrill will miss time because of a sprained right hand — again. Those two join Dean Wade (left knee contusion) and Max Strus (foot surgery) on the inactive list. Sources tell cleveland.com that Wade is likely to return from a five-game absence early this coming week.
Late in the third quarter Wednesday night, Garland crumbled to the floor after losing the ball — and stayed down in agony for an extended period.
Even after Philadelphia All-Star Tyrese Maxey sprinted the other way and threw down a breakaway dunk that cut Cleveland’s lead to 11 at the time, Garland kept lying there, clutching at his right foot while concerned teammates, coaches and trainers surrounded him.
Eventually, he was helped up and slowly limped to the bench. With a towel draped over his head, Garland received a brief examination from head trainer Steve Spiro before exiting to the locker room.
Garland did not return. He was ruled out with what was initially classified as a right foot injury. Now it’s being labeled toe soreness.
Given Garland’s health history, any injury is cause for concern. But the Cavs may be breathing a bit easier since it’s not the same problematic toe that required offseason surgery and kept Garland out for the first few weeks of the 2025-26 regular season. It’s the other great toe. On the opposite foot.
At this point, it’s unclear how much time Garland will miss. He could be looking at an extended absence.
Following Friday night’s matchup with the Sixers, Cleveland gets two days off before welcoming reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City to Rocket Arena.
Garland, who just recently started returning to his pre-injury form, is second on the team in scoring, averaging 18.0 points to go with 6.9 assists.
As for Merrill, he left Wednesday’s game in the first half because of a sprained right hand — the same hand and injury that sidelined Merrill for a month earlier this season.
When Merrill left the locker room late Wednesday night, he had a splint on the index and middle fingers of his right hand, something he used for protection after originally getting hurt on Nov. 17 — a nasty sprain that cost him straight 14 games.
It’s the latest setback during what has been a breakthrough campaign, with Merrill averaging career-bests in points (13.8), field goal percentage (47.0), 3-point percentage (45.5), assists (2.3), rebounds (2.4) and minutes (25.8).
Friday will be his 19th missed game this season.