Cavaliers guard Darius Garland has sustained a fractured jaw, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, who reports (via Twitter) that Garland is expected to be sidelined for several weeks as a result of the injury.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (Twitter link), who says Garland is scheduled to undergo surgery next week, estimates that the 23-year-old will be out for about a month.
As Charania notes, the injury occurred when Garland collided with Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis on a drive in the third quarter of Thursday’s loss to Boston (Twitter video link). Garland left the game and headed to the locker room, though he did check back in and played the fourth quarter.
It’s an unfortunate setback for a Cavaliers team that has gotten off to an underwhelming start to the 2023/24 season. Widely projected to be a top-three team in the East, Cleveland is just 13-12 so far, good for ninth in the conference.
While Garland has averaged 20.7 points and 5.9 assists per game through his first 20 contests, he hasn’t been at his best this fall. His 34.6% three-point percentage and 3.8 turnovers per night would both be career-worst marks.
Still, the Cavs will certainly miss him during his absence, especially since the No. 2 point guard on their depth chart – Ricky Rubio – has been away from the team all season for personal reasons, while No. 3 option Ty Jerome has been out since October 27 due to an ankle injury.
Rookie two-way player Craig Porter Jr. figures to play a larger role until Garland returns, while Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert will likely take on more ball-handling responsibilities.
It’s worth noting that Cleveland does have an open spot on its 15-man standard roster, with two little-used reserves (Tristan Thompson and Sam Merrill) on non-guaranteed contracts, so the club has the flexibility to make a backcourt addition if necessary, though the Cavs’ team salary is close to the luxury tax line.
Talented player. Always injured.
What are you talking about. He has never missed a full month before. Most NBA players miss 10 to 15 games a year to minor Injuries.
Garland missed close to 25 games in his rookie year. Missed close to 25 games in his 2nd year. Missed a combined 30 games the next two. Prior to this injury, he had already missed 6 games this year which had him on pace to miss 25 games AGAIN. Now, he will be out the next several weeks. How is this not always injured when this is his career to date??
Let’s also remember he played 5 games. 5 games total in college at Vanderbilt. Why?? He tore his meniscus and missed the rest of the year.
There goes the Cavaliers season. Being without both Garland and Mobley almost certainly means this will be a lost year. Mitchell is amazing but he can’t make up for Garland’s absence.
This will hurt ….. with Mobley also out. Cavs are going to suffer or come together. Donovan can play some point. LaVert will need to step up here. I always liked Caris . He needs to step up here along with Okoro. Cavs can not fall too far from heap here.
Theo Maledon! should be in his way
I imagine a broken jaw is a horrible injury to endure. But, assuming he can adjust well to wearing a mask, it shouldn’t negatively affect his game once he returns.
Neither this injury, or even Mobley’s longer absence, should cripple CLE’s season. Until they’re back, I think DM will do his part, to give them enough star power on the perimeter, and JA is certainly capable of anchoring a quality NBA defense. I’m less confidence of the balance of the roster. But the group is at least deeper than last year.