The Cleveland Cavaliers have one other problem to beat.
Going through the Miami Warmth, the Cleveland Cavaliers confirmed no mercy in dispatching the convention tenth seed. With a proficient and massively deep roster bannered by Donovan Mitchell, they went all out to fully personal the collection and humble Erik Spoelstra’s staff.
Their 55-point historic beatdown in Recreation 4 to seal the collection sweep towards the Warmth was an announcement of intent.
However heading into an intriguing collection, the Cavaliers have a minor concern to cope with, that they hope doesn’t flip into a significant one.
Though the Cavs are completely positioned to battle to win the NBA championship later in June, there’s an unlucky concern proper now.
Darius Garland stays underneath restoration after struggling a sprained huge toe in Recreation 2 of their first-round matchup towards the Warmth. The All-Star didn’t go well with up for the ultimate two video games of the collection.
Garland has been coping with the toe damage because the ultimate week of the common season till he re-aggravated it towards Miami.
The Cavaliers star promisingly participated within the staff’s observe session on Might 1, however he was totally restricted from doing contact drills.
“The toe’s a tricky one,” Kenny Atkinson mentioned about Garland’s damage. “There’s ache and all that. However the good factor once we watch him capturing proper now, he’s transferring effectively.
“Simply no contact but.”
Requested about Garland’s Recreation 1 availability on looming East Semis bout towards the Indiana Pacers, the Cavs head coach was merely noncommittal.
“I’m not going to make a judgment both approach,” Atkinson mentioned. “However certain, there’s some concern there. I might see it go both approach.”
Earlier than being sidelined, Garland was scorching for the Cavs towards the Warmth, averaging 24.0 factors in 51.6 % capturing (41.2 % from three). He additionally tallied 7.0 assists and a pair of.5 boards.
He registered 22.0 factors and seven.0 assists in two of the Cavaliers’ 4 common season video games towards the Pacers this 2024-25.
“I understand how they’re. It’s simply not simple, particularly with all of the start-and-stop motion he does. So no, I’m not shocked,’ Atkinson answered if he’s shocked concerning the ongoing restoration of Garland.
“It’s not one thing that simply goes away in a single day. It’s not like, ‘Okay, you’re higher now.’ I believe it’s one thing he’s going to need to handle for the remainder of the playoffs.”
Because the Cavaliers proceed their preparation in going through the extremely aggressive Pacers led by Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam for the second spherical, they will solely hope that Garland will lastly have the ability to be part of them sooner somewhat than later.
