Cavs point guard Darius Garland misses Game 2 due to a toe injury, drawing criticism from ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith.
Rewritten Article:
Heads are turning towards the Cleveland Cavaliers' bench as star point guard Darius Garland hobbles with a toe injury
From the get-go of the playoffs, Darius Garland's toe woes have been a thorn in the side of the Cavaliers. The American basketball player sat out for Games 1 and 2 of the first round against the Miami Heat, both of which resulted in close losses. With the team already on the edge of elimination, ESPN analyst Stephen A Smith didn't mince his words about the situation.
"If you ain't nearly crippled, you gotta find a way to play," Smith scolded on First Take. "When you're teetering on the brink of elimination, you gotta limp your a*s out there no matter what."
Jared Greenberg, an NBA reporter, declared that Garland's injury would have kept him sidelined for one to two weeks during the regular season. And it's no wonder why, since the big toe provides the majority of balance and agility in our feet. A sprain on that toe significantly restricts Garland's movements on the court.
Even as a jump shooter, he might struggle to put power behind his shots due to the swelling. The pain and immobility could hinder his performance significantly.
However, Smith wasn't having any of the Cavaliers' excuses. Comparing Garland's situation to Blake Griffin's history of inglorious performances despite injury, Smith barreled forward with his criticism. But the injury has proven to be more than just a minor setback.
As of May 6, 2025, Garland remains questionable for Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers. Hope remains that he'll pull through with some rest and recovery, but the Cavaliers will have to soldier on regardless. In the face of a formidable opponent like the Pacers, they simply can't afford to take any chances.
The Pacers have shown they're more than capable of giving the Eastern Conference's powerhouse a run for their money. With tongues wagging about the Cavaliers' brutal Game 2 meltdown, the team can't allow themselves to repeat such a costly mistake.
Regardless of the injury report, Smith expects Garland to play for the remainder of the series. The Cavs take on the Pacers again on Friday, and they'll need all the help they can get to even out the series while in Indiana.
Once Garland steps onto the court, it'll be a much-needed sigh of relief for the 64-win Cavs. They'll aim to reestablish their offensive flow and efficiency, which has faltered without the point guard's crucial presence.
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Darius Garland and His Big Toe Injury
Darius Garland has been struggling with a troublesome big toe sprain that has cast a shadow over his availability throughout the playoffs.
- Injury Timeline: Garland dealt with the injury during the latter stages of the regular season and worsened when the playoffs began against the Miami Heat. As of May 6, 2025, his status remains questionable for Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers.
- Offensive Implications: Before his injury, Garland contributed 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game to the Cavaliers' offensive efforts. His absence has affected the team's offensive flow and efficiency.
- Backup Performance: Sam Merrill has taken over in Garland's absence, providing decent contributions in limited minutes. However, the team clearly misses Garland's unique skillset and leadership.
- Playoff Pressure: With the Cavaliers facing elimination against the Pacers, Garland's presence on the court takes on heightened importance for the team's success in the playoffs.
- The toe injury sustained by Darius Garland has been problematic for the Cavaliers since the beginning of the playoffs, with the point guard missing Games 1 and 2 against the Miami Heat.
- ESPN analyst Stephen A Smith criticized Garland for missing these crucial games, stating, "If you ain't nearly crippled, you gotta find a way to play."
- The injury has limited Garland's movements on the court significantly, as the big toe provides most of the balance and agility needed in basketball.
- The Cavaliers, already facing tough competition from the Indiana Pacers, can't afford to risk further injury to Garland, as his presence is crucial for their offensive flow and efficiency in the playoffs.
