The hits just keep on coming for the Cavaliers, and none of them are good.
More accurately, the Cavs can’t seem to stay healthy and together, and you can chalk it up to little more than dumb luck.
The latest? Point guard Darius Garland suffered a fractured jaw in Thursday’s loss to the Boston Celtics and is expected to miss a significant amount of time, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
For now, Garland is expected to miss “several weeks,” Charania noted.
Garland did get accidentally hit in the face by Celtics forward Kristaps Porzingis while driving to the basket. He crashed to the floor, covered his face, then was checked by the medical staff. Garland then returned to the game a short while later.
The injury bug has bitten the Cavs (13-13) hard already in this early season. Garland, Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Caris LeVert and Dean Wade have all missed time because of injuries — and Evan Mobley has been out with a knee issue. Also, Ty Jerome, Garland’s backup, has been out since October with an ankle injury.
There’s no word on when Mobley may return, as the Cavs are preparing to play four straight and five of the next seven at home. Hoops Wire will have more on Garland as the news becomes available.
Garland, 23, is averaging 20.7 points and 5.9 assists, shooting 47 percent from the field and 35 percent on 3-pointers in 20 games. The Cavs will likely turn to Mitchell, LeVert and rookie point guard Craig Porter Jr. to handle ball-handling duties in Garland’s absence.
Cleveland Cavaliers star guard Darius Garland has sustained a fractured jaw and is expected to miss several weeks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Garland suffered an injury to the head area in a collision with Kristaps Porzingis on Thursday night in Boston. pic.twitter.com/gLRSYDRZXk
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 15, 2023
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