Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland and shooting guard Caris LeVert will be out to open the post-All-Star break portion of the season, as relayed first by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
Garland played in the All-Star Game and Skills Challenge over the weekend in Cleveland, but continues to suffer from a lingering — albeit not believed serious — lower back soreness.
LeVert suffered a sprained right foot during Tuesday’s practice, though as Fedor reported, the injury is not considered serious. Both players are likely to be listed as day-to-day following Thursday’s road game vs. the Pistons.
On the bright side, forward Lauri Markkanen is expected to make his return from a high ankle sprain after missing the past 11 games.
Garland, 22, is 6-foot-1 and averaging career-highs of 20.3 points and 8.0 assists in 37 games. Per Fedor, Garland’s injury is “finnicky” and will need to be monitored throughout the rest of the season.
“This is something that we just need to make sure it’s right for the long haul. So we’ll do everything we can to make that happen,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said back on Feb. 9, via Fedor. “He understands the big picture, but Darius is a competitor and he wants to get out there and play as many games as he can.”
Garland’s injury could likely afford some extended rest to heal entirely, but that’s not something he wants to do with the Cavs (35-23) in the thick of an extremely tight playoff race, sources told Fedor.
LeVert, 27, is 6-6 and came over from the Pacers on deadline week. He is averaging 18.2 points and 4.3 assists on the season (43 games overall), and is at 13.3 points in four games with the Cavs. One was a 22-point performance vs. his old team in Indiana.
He also scored 42 points in his final game with the Pacers, and also had a 30-point outburst in a road win over LeBron James and the Lakers.
As it stands, the Cavs continue to experience a major guard shortage, with Collin Sexton already being out for the season, and the injured Ricky Rubio sent to the Pacers in the LeVert deal.
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So, We stand here ‘UNGUARDED’ again. I think we ALL were hoping the rest of the AllStar break would help get everybody back to full capacity; but, of course, all that activity that Darius endured took up much of the “break”, so he didn’t really get full opportunity for that. Levert being out too, complicates things further. They may have to still look to pick up someone from G league or somewhere to assist the Guard position. It’s going to get a little testy near the top of the East over the next 6 weeks or so.
I DO still hope that they can re-acquire Rubio after he heals & Indy releases him next season.