Darius Garland’s delicate, nagging back injury is threatening Cleveland’s season.
Some rotten luck is also possible.
On Monday, the All-Star point guard was unable to play in his third consecutive game and eighth overall. He has a bone injury that requires rest. The Cavs are struggling to keep their playoff spot in the tight Eastern Conference, while losing their top five guards.
General manager Mike Gansey stated that the team’s backcourt injuries were “unreal”. “We didn’t see doomsday,” Gansey said.
The Cavs began Monday’s game against Minnesota with a guard who started the season in the G League and then played another guard who signed a 10-day deal last week.
J.B. Bickerstaff, Cavs coach, said that Garland participated in the Cavs’ light training on Tuesday. Garland has grown into one of the NBA’s most skilled guards in his third season. Garland played one-on-one, and he also got some additional shooting time after the workout.
Garland was listed as questionable by the team for Wednesday’s match against Charlotte Hornets.
The Cavs are currently at 36-25 and fifth place in the East. They have not released any details about Garland’s injury. It happened initially against Golden State on January 9. After missing five games, the 22-year old returned for two. Since the start of the season, he has been excluded from three games.
While All-Star Weekend was approved by the Cavs, it has raised questions about whether the Cavs would allow their best player to get worsened injuries if they knew that he needed rest.
Gansey stated that the team did not discuss Garland being kept out of the All-Star celebrations — Garland teamed up with rookie Evan Mobley in the Skills Challenge, before playing in his first All-Star Game. This was because Garland played twice without any problems and “was feeling great.”
Gansey, who was recently promoted to GM, said that the skills competition felt more like playing H–O-R-S–E and that shooting was enjoyable. “They (the All-Star Team) had a practice that wasn’t a practicing and I don’t know if he attempted to defend or touch anyone.
He’s running around fine, if you just watch. It’s a minor bone bruise that is not serious. It isn’t something that will last. He needs to rest and we are not there right now.
Normal circumstances would make Garland’s injury difficult, but then again, there are the Cavs.
The team lost their leading scorer Collin Sexton, and their veteran guard Ricky Rubio due to season-ending injuries. Rajon Rondo was acquired to compensate Rubio’s loss. Caris LeVert was also added at the trade deadline to add extra scoring punch.
Rondo and LeVert could still be out of action for a week. The Cavs, which won only 22 games last season and are trying to remain among the East’s top six teams, No. 7, 8 and 9 will be playing in the play-in.
Gansey stated, “Let’s hope we can somehow remain relevant in the East.”
The injuries may be shifting expectations and priorities for the Cavs’ young players, who were No. 1 a few weeks back. 2 in the East.
They’re now sliding and there’s no telling what day they’ll get back on track. The Cavs will be facing Philadelphia, Toronto and Miami by March 12.
A few weeks back, the goals of reaching and then advancing in the postseason seemed possible.
This point might be sufficient to make the playoffs.
Allen stated, “By this point last year we were all ready for home.” It was just a difficult end to the season. We can all admit that the goal wasn’t to win the championship.
“It was to get out there and play our basketball, and see what it takes us. It’s taken us so far, so we can consider this a success.”
Gansey stated that players and coaches have always believed they wanted more, even though the Cavs are shorthanded.
He said, “We just want be part of that conversation. If we get there (to playoffs), great. And if we can get into the play-in and somehow advance, that would also be great.” “I don’t think it’s top 6 or bust, or if you get in the playoffs and lose.
“We have 22 games left, so it’s one game at a time. We hope we can get our guards back, and whatever happens, it happens.”
