Cavaliers star Darius Garland receives positive injury update

The Cleveland Cavaliers are preparing for Friday's matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, though they'll still be without star point guard Darius Garland. 

Garland underwent surgery on his left great toe in June, and Cleveland has yet to target a specific return date. The 25-year-old sustained the toe injury near the end of the regular season and played five of the team's nine playoff games, though he didn't look like himself in the Cavaliers’ conference semifinals loss to the Indiana Pacers. 

The Vanderbilt product isn't expected to return by the end of October, though he has participated in scrimmages and is progressing toward a comeback in the near future. 

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NBA insider provides timeline for Darius Garland's return

Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints revealed Friday that Garland is “very close to returning,” though the Cavaliers are taking a cautious approach ahead of a long regular season. 

“All-Star point guard Darius Garland is targeting a potential return from his left big toe surgery as early as the first week of November, league sources told ClutchPoints. While Garland will be ready to go whenever the Cleveland Cavaliers’ medical staff gives him the green light, the organization is being cautious with how soon he returns to the court, resulting in no clear set date,” he wrote.

For now, Sam Merrill is expected to remain in the starting five with Garland sidelined. Additionally, Tyrese Proctor and Craig Porter are both candidates to continue seeing a bump in minutes. 

The Cavaliers won't rush Garland back, but his impact has been missed. He's coming off another productive season in 2024-25, during which he averaged 20.6 points, 6.7 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals across 30.7 minutes per contest in 75 regular-season appearances. 

Based on Siegel's report, Garland could return as soon as Sunday, Nov. 2, against the Atlanta Hawks. 

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