Cavaliers guard Darius Garland underwent surgery on his left toe on Monday, which sidelined him during Cleveland’s playoff run. The procedure was coordinated by Dr. Nicholas Strasser from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, alongside the team doctors, Dr. James Rozneck and Dr. Bob Anderson.
Garland, an All-Star guard, missed the last two regular-season games and four playoff games because of his injury. Following the Cavaliers’ five-game loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Garland expressed frustration at not being fully fit during the series but emphasized his commitment to helping the team win.
He is expected to spend four to five months undergoing treatment and rehabilitation before he can resume basketball activities ahead of the next training camp. During the regular season, Garland averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game, contributing significantly to the Cavaliers finishing first in the Eastern Conference. However, in the playoffs, his averages dropped to 18 points and 5.2 assists in five games. He missed two games against the Miami Heat due to his toe injury and two more games during the Pacers series.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Fan Take: This injury and subsequent surgery highlight how crucial Garland is to the Cavaliers’ success and how much his health impacts their playoff performance. Basketball fans should watch closely during his recovery, as his return will be vital for Cleveland’s ambitions and could influence the team’s future competitiveness in the league.
