Cavs’ Darius Garland could return Friday vs. Pacers

The Cavaliers could get Darius Garland back on Friday night as they stay at home to face the struggling Pacers.

Garland is listed as questionable after missing five straight games with a left great toe injury. Coach Kenny Atkinson said this week that the two-time All-Star is “really close” to returning.

Jarrett Allen is also questionable with a right finger strain, and rookie Jaylon Tyson remains in concussion protocol. Sam Merrill will miss his second straight game with a right hand sprain.

Cleveland enters the night at 10-6 and is facing a Pacers team that looks nothing like the group that knocked the Cavs out of the second round last spring.

Indiana is 2-13 and has been utterly decimated by injuries, headlined by Tyrese Haliburton’s ruptured Achilles suffered in Game 7 of last year’s Finals. Haliburton dominated the Cavs in that postseason series and was central to Indiana’s run.

The Pacers also lost Myles Turner in free agency to the Bucks and have been without key rotation players such as Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin.

What was a Finals-caliber roster six months ago is now a patchwork group trying to stay afloat.

The Cavs are playing their fifth of six straight at Rockets Arena, and could get a boost if Garland is cleared.