Cavs GM Mike Gansey: Darius Garland Injury Likely ‘Short-Term Thing’

All of Cavaliers nation is concerned with the back issue being experienced by All-Star point guard Darius Garland.

That’s especially the case after Thursday’s disappointment of a 106-103 road loss to the Pistons (related Dribbles). But never fear, Garland should be here, newly minted Cavs general manager Mike Gansey said on 92.3 The Fan. 

Actually, Gansey was more precise in explaining why Garland participated in All-Star Weekend, but did not play Thursday. Gansey also revealed the injury is a bone bruise, not just some tightness, as many have assumed.

“Some days he feels great. Next day he’s sore,” Gansey said, adding that Garland wasn’t going “full go” in the Skills Competition or All-Star Game.

Could Garland be back for Saturday’s home game against the Wizards? It sounds very much up in the air. The Cavs (35-24) may opt to rest him again. After that, it’s two more home games — against the Timberwolves and Hornets.

The Cavs have lost three straight, and without Garland, the offense has an extremely difficult time generating any semblance of consistent cohesion. With the Eastern Conference race being as tight as it is … well, it’s winning time.

So the Cavs will have to balance Garland’s recovery with a need to pick up vital victories.

“I think it’s a short term thing,” Gansey said on The Fan. “Rest is the only recipe to get better.”

Garland, 22, is 6-foot-1 and averaging career-highs of 20.3 points and 8.0 assists in 37 games. Per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, Garland’s injury is “finnicky” and will need to be monitored throughout the rest of the season.

Gansey, a product of Olmstead Falls High, was just recently promoted from his old assistant GM role. He still reports to president of basketball operations Koby Altman, who will still be the man behind the trades/signings.

You can check out The Fan’s full interview with Gansey at this link or in the player directly below.