The Cleveland Cavaliers will start their championship quest tonight when they match up against Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks.
Donovan Mitchell is expected to start the 2025-26 season on a positive note as the Cavaliers’ No. 1 scoring option, but his backcourt mate, Darius Garland, won’t join him on the hardwood to start the year.
Why isn’t Darius Garland playing tonight vs. The Knicks?
Garland appeared in 75 regular-season contests with the Cavaliers last season, but was hit with the injury bug in the playoffs. The Vanderbilt product missed four of Cleveland’s nine postseason clashes with a toe injury and didn’t play particularly well in the five games he was active for.
On June 9, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Darius Garland would miss the start of the 2025-26 season after undergoing surgery to repair his toe setback.
“Cleveland Cavaliers star Darius Garland underwent surgery to repair a great toe injury and will be sidelined for approximately four to five months," Charania stated.
Encouragingly, though, head coach Kenny Atkinson provided the public with a positive long-term injury outlook for the two-time All-Star.
“He did most of practice today and we were live, so we'll see how he responds tomorrow,” Atkinson said Tuesday. “I don't know what that means big picture-wise, but good sign for us.”
“I'd have to check with (the Cavaliers’ head trainer) Steve (Spiro) and see what they think, but I'm a little surprised he's at this point. I know me and him are constantly fighting, like, let's make sure this build-up is correct. Let's make sure we're progressing because I want DG healthy long term for the season, for the playoffs.”
Expect Mitchell to hold down the fort for the Cavaliers until Garland is 100% healthy.
More NBA: Why Jayson Tatum isn't playing for Celtics tonight vs. 76ers