Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland faced an injury scare during the team’s 140-138 overtime loss to the Miami Heat on Monday night. Garland left the game early due to a toe injury that raised concerns about a recurrence of a previous issue that had sidelined him throughout the offseason.
The incident occurred late in the second quarter, when Garland drove to the basket and fell awkwardly after getting tangled up with Miami’s Nikola Jović. Although he managed to stay in the game initially, Garland appeared to be in pain and limped noticeably during the second half. After drawing a foul from Norman Powell, he was spotted hopping on his right leg before eventually leaving the floor and heading to the locker room.
Post-game, the Cavaliers confirmed Garland sustained a left toe injury and stated he would undergo further evaluation. Head coach Kenny Atkinson noted that he did not have any immediate updates on Garland’s condition. This latest setback is concerning for the Cavaliers, as Garland had just returned from surgery in June to repair his left toe, an injury that significantly hindered his performance during the playoffs. Before this game, he had a productive season debut with 20 points and nine assists in a recent 33-point victory over the Washington Wizards.
Despite Garland’s departure, the game itself was a thrilling contest. The Cavaliers and Heat exchanged leads throughout, with Evan Mobley hitting a key three-pointer to put Cleveland ahead in the fourth quarter. However, Jaime Jaquez Jr. responded with a game-tying basket, pushing the game into overtime. In the closing seconds, Donovan Mitchell managed to tie it again with a clutch three-pointer, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. The Heat executed a well-designed inbound play, allowing Andrew Wiggins to score a last-second lob dunk, sealing the victory for Miami.
In a solid performance, the Miami Heat’s Powell led all scorers with 33 points, with Wiggins contributing 23 and Jaquez adding 22 points and 13 rebounds. For the Cavaliers, Mitchell topped his team with 28 points, while De’Andre Hunter added 23 and Mobley recorded a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. The loss marked the end of a four-game winning streak for Cleveland, bringing their record to 7-4. The Cavaliers will have another opportunity to face the Heat in just two days, offering a chance for redemption and a strong comeback following this close defeat.