Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland made a significant return to the court on Friday night, helping his team secure a vital win against their opponents. This was his first game played in the playoff series. It was his first game since April 23, as a sprained left toe had sidelined him for four straight games prior. Even on a night he played through clear discomfort, Garland was very effective, proving once again just how important he is to have on the floor.
The timing of Garland’s return couldn’t have been better. It made history, and it was huge for the Cavaliers as they fought a desperate 0-2 hole in the series. When pressed on what inspired him to take the court, he admitted that the situation was dire. All he said was, “Getting down 0-2. It was his determination that revitalized the team. They had to come together to stop being beaten at every turn.
During his 25 minutes of play, Garland managed to score 10 points and demonstrated his ability as a secondary ball handler. This powerful dynamic was especially effective for his teammate Donovan Mitchell, who went on to lead the Cavaliers with a tremendous 43 points on the night. With Garland back in the lineup, Cleveland outscored their opponents by 27 points in just 14 minutes of play featuring a core group that included Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson said he hadn’t known for sure if Garland would play until under an hour before the game. Garland showed enough to leave Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who has been lauded for getting the most out of a patchwork roster, smiling. “I don’t use that word hardly ever. He was a maestro in how he dictated the match — distributing, playing the correct ball, tracking back to defend. One of, if not the, best performance of the year,” Atkinson said of Garland’s influence.
Garland’s steady return reintroduced some normalcy as he reunited with Mobley to form that familiar starting two-man tornado. Atkinson noted the great focus and work put in to get Garland ready for the regular season. As we move forward he noted, the ability to manage player health will be the key to success.
The Cavaliers’ victory came after a challenging stretch where they missed Garland’s contributions. He was the last of three players forced to miss Game 2 due to injury. It’s clear that the team missed him immensely as they struggled to be competitive. With him back on the floor, Cleveland came out with a sense of urgency and purpose. Donovan Mitchell praised Garland’s return despite his lingering discomfort, stating he was happy to have his teammate back on the court.
Not only did Garland score, but his impressive play fought back the heat on Mitchell. This support helped provide the cushion and space Mitchell needed to play on repeat, specifically in the final quarter.
“So everybody put their bodies and their injuries on the line,” – Darius Garland
Mitchell and Atkinson rejoiced after Mitchell’s game-winning goal in Game 3. They were quick to remind that the Cavaliers have a long, hard road in front of them. Mitchell emphasized the need for continued focus and determination, saying, “I mean, we won one game. We got to do it again. It’s been my message. We’re not celebrating. We’re not smiling. We came here to take two games, and we did one.”
Atkinson expressed a similar feeling when he said, “It was sort of now or never. The players know that though they have just won one key battle, their final victory is winning the series.
Leave a Reply