Darius Garland, the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ rising star point guard, has struggled to find consistency this season after a breakout campaign last year.
He went just 7-of-22 on Monday versus the San Antonio Spurs, and he missed a good look at a 3-pointer with seconds left that would’ve likely won the game.
Instead, the Cavs lost a heartbreaker, 112-111.
To add injury to insult, Garland suffered some sort of ailment during the contest.
#Cavs guard Darius Garland had his left hand wrapped in ice while sitting in the locker room after the game. I asked him if was his hand, wrist or thumb and he said hand. He doesn’t know how the injury happened but it was at some point in the first quarter and it bothered him
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) December 13, 2022
The good news is that Garland isn’t listed on Cleveland’s official NBA injury report at press time, and that the injury isn’t on his shooting hand.
But it is the latest in a series of injuries for the Cavs.
Cleveland Hasn’t Been Fully Healthy For Much Of The Season
Garland already missed some games in November after getting hit in the eye, and some feel he was continuing to suffer the after-effects of the ailment even after he returned to game action.
Starting center Jarrett Allen was recently out for five games, and Donovan Mitchell didn’t play on Friday or Saturday because of a leg ailment.
Right now, forward Dean Wade, who had started nine of his 17 games this season, is unable to play because of a sprained left shoulder.
He is the Cavs’ second-best 3-point shooter by percentage at 41.1 percent on the season.
Needless to say, if Garland has to miss some time, it would be a big blow to them, especially with the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers breathing down their necks in the standings.
Fortunately, after playing the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Cleveland will be at home through the day after Christmas.
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