Darius Garland paints bleak Cavs return timeline: “I had nine toes”

Darius Garland helped the Cleveland Cavaliers to the best record (64-18) in the Eastern Conference last season, and the second-best regular season record in franchise history. However, a toe injury came at the worst possible time for the Cavs’ playoff hopes and it looks likely to keep him out of action for a good while longer.

Darius Garland reveals extent of toe injury

Garland first sustained the injury in March, weeks before Cleveland started their postseason run against the Miami Heat. The 25-year-old suffered a recurrence of the issue in the first round and, although he did return in the semifinals against the Indiana Pacers, he was visibly not at his sparkling best, especially in terms of mobility on the court.

As reported by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, Garland has now revealed the extent to which he was hampered. “I had no big toe at the end of last season. I had like nine toes. I felt like I was playing with nine toes. That’s how I would describe it. Any type of movement was tough. Putting on a shoe was tough. Walking. Running. It was difficult.”

Garland’s potential Cavaliers return

The two-time NBA All-Star underwent surgery in June and is now on the mend. “I got my 10th toe back.” However, Garland was given a four- to five-month timeline for treatment and rehabilitation, and there appears to be little hope of an earlier return. That means the start of the 2025-26 season, scheduled for October 21, may well come too soon.

“We’re not going to rush or push this,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson revealed, also to Fedor. “If he is ready, then great. I will rely on (Senior Director of Player Health/Head Athletic Trainer) Steve Spiro and Darius to tell me. But I don’t expect that.”

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