Darius Garland did not suit up in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ opening day road loss against the New York Knicks. However, the two-time NBA All-Star, who was in attendance in street clothes, told the media that he could be back on the court very soon.
“I have a date in my head. I’m not gonna say the date right now, but I’m pretty close,” Garland said during an interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters.
“I’m feeling really good. I’m back playing live at practice, playing five-on-five against the team, I’m working out every day, moving around, so everything’s been going well,” he added.
Garland sustained the left toe injury in the first round of last year’s playoffs against the Miami Heat. He tried to play through it in the second round against the Indiana Pacers, and eventually had surgery in June.
Cleveland Cavaliers News: Kenny Atkinson dishes on Darius Garland’s progress
Before the New York Knicks game, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson expressed optimism that Darius Garland is ahead of schedule in his recovery. In the meantime, Sam Merrill will take Garland’s place in the starting five.
“Really good,” Atkinson told Evan Dammarell of Newsweek. “He did most of practice today and we were live, so we’ll see how he responds. I don’t know what that means big picture-wise, but good sign for us.”
“Let’s make sure we’re progressing because I want DG healthy long-term for the season, for the playoffs,” he added. “Really kind of having conversations with him, making sure the build-up is right. We’re erring on the side of long-term thinking.”
