Cavs’ Darius Garland Listed as Out vs. Celtics

Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland isn’t quite ready to return, it seems.

Per the NBA’s official injury report, Garland will not play in Friday’s road game vs. the Celtics. He was officially listed as out, his lacerated left eye not yet quite ready for game action.

Garland was spotted getting up some shots following shootaround on Wednesday, wearing protective goggles, which he will indeed sport upon his return. 

“It’s just a matter of time” before he is ready to play, coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Wednesday. 

While Bickerstaff didn’t offer specifics, he added that Garland would need to get in “some work” at practice before he plays in a game. Clearly, Garland has had at least that, but the Cavs don’t want to put him “in danger” by bring him back to soon, Bickerstaff said.

Garland’s eye was still swollen completely shut over the weekend. His next opportunity to return would be for Sunday’s home game against the Knicks.

The injury was suffered in the first half of the season-opener, a hard-fought loss to the Raptors.

But the Cavs (3-1) have now won three straight. Check out the latest Dribbles for thoughts, notes and quotes from their victory over the Magic.