Cavs’ Darius Garland Aiming To Return Friday To Face Celtics

The Cavaliers are 2-0 since All-Star point guard Darius Garland went out with a hip contusion, but ideally, you want him on the court.

Right? Right.

And good news may be on the horizon. Per Marc Spears of Andscape, Garland is hoping to make his return for Friday’s big road game against the defending champion Boston Celtics.

The Cavs (48-10) have won eight in a row overall and sport the NBA’s best record. They’ve won 12 of their previous 13, with the most recent victory coming via a 40-point hammer job at Orlando on Tuesday.

Coach Kenny Atkinson made it sound Sunday as if Garland’s return wasn’t far off.

“My amateur opinion is this is probably [a] one [game absence],” Atkinson told reporters. “I don’t think it’s going to be long-term. I’d anticipate him being ready very soon. I’m not going to guarantee next game, but I’d say, you know, [it’s] trending that way.”

Again, that was Sunday. The Cavs visit the Celtics on Friday. Atkinson’s “amateur opinion” may prove correct.

Overall, Garland has missed four games this season and the Cavs have won them all. That’s hardly an indictment of Garland, as the Cavs tend to win no matter who’s on the floor. But he’s having a career year and without a doubt, you’d rather face the champs on their floor with Garland in uniform.

In 54 games, Garland is averaging 21.3 points and 6.7 assists per game, with a career-high effective field goal percentage of 58.9%.

The Cavaliers won 48 games all of last season. They hit that mark this year with still 24 games to go. Garland is a massive reason why. 

• More Cavs | All coverage from Hoops Wire

Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (left hip contusion) hopes to return to action on Friday at Boston, a source said.

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 26, 2025