Cavs’ Darius Garland has toe contusion, return TBD

The Cavaliers announced Wednesday that guard Darius Garland has been diagnosed with a contusion on his left big toe, the same foot he underwent offseason surgery on.

According to the team, Garland suffered the injury during the second quarter of Monday’s overtime loss in Miami after making incidental contact with Heat forward Nikola Jovic on a drive to the basket.

He was ruled out shortly after leaving the game and did not return.

Further evaluation by the Cavs’ medical staff confirmed the contusion. Garland will receive daily treatment and continue following his post-surgery management plan, the team says.

He has been ruled out for Wednesday’s rematch with the Heat, and his return timeline will be updated as appropriate.

Garland’s injury marks another concerning development in what had been an encouraging early stretch since his return from summer toe surgery.

The All-Star point guard had appeared in only three games this season but was beginning to find his rhythm before Monday’s setback.

The 25-year-old missed a portion of last year’s playoffs and underwent a procedure in June to repair damage to the same toe.

While the Cavs said this latest injury is unrelated structurally, the overlap is impossible to ignore.

With Garland sidelined, expect Sam Merrill, Lonzo Ball, Craig Porter Jr. and rookie Jaylon Tyson (once cleared from concussion protocol) to see increased minutes in the backcourt.

The Cavs will face Miami again Wednesday night without Garland, Donovan Mitchell (rest), Evan Mobley (rest) and Jaylon Tyson (concussion protocol), leaving Kenny Atkinson’s rotation stretched thin as Cleveland closes its two-game stop in South Beach.