Darius Garland Shows Signs of His Old Self in Cavaliers' Loss to Celtics
The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t come out of Sunday night’s matchup with a win, but they did come away with something just as important: a glimpse of the Darius Garland fans and teammates have been waiting to see.
After a stop-and-start beginning to the season due to a lingering toe injury, Garland finally looked like the dynamic floor general who earned All-Star honors last year. He dropped 21 points on 7-of-16 shooting, including a sharp 44% from deep, and added eight assists in a performance that reminded everyone just how much smoother the Cavs' offense flows when he’s in rhythm.
It wasn’t just the numbers-it was the way he moved. The pace, the control, the confidence in attacking the rim.
Garland didn’t just play; he orchestrated. And while the Cavaliers ultimately fell short against a tough Celtics squad, Garland’s resurgence was a bright spot that could have long-term implications for Cleveland’s season.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson saw it too.
“I love that he showed signs of being the old DG,” Atkinson said postgame. “Toward the end of the game, the speed was there, he’s getting to the rim. So that was a real positive sign.”
Garland’s night didn’t start hot-he went just 2-for-6 in the first half-but he found his groove after the break. By the fourth quarter, he was in full command, pushing the tempo, creating space, and setting up teammates like the offensive catalyst he’s built his reputation on.
“Obviously, at the beginning, wasn’t as smooth,” Atkinson acknowledged. “That’s part of him getting on track.”
That’s the reality for a player working his way back from injury. It’s not just about pain management-it’s about rhythm, timing, and confidence.
Garland has been in and out of the lineup, and it’s clear he’s still recalibrating. But Sunday’s second half showed flashes of the Garland who can take over games-not just as a scorer, but as the engine of the Cavs’ offense.
Atkinson didn’t mince words about the significance of the performance.
“Super positive,” he said. “That’s one of the takeaways of this game-he’s still trying to find his rhythm, still trying to find his groove, and I felt like in the fourth quarter it was the old Darius.”
And that’s what the Cavaliers need. With a roster built around multiple ball-handlers and versatile bigs, Garland’s ability to control pace and create shots-both for himself and others-is central to unlocking the team’s full potential.
When he’s right, the offense hums. When he’s not, it can stall out.
This wasn’t a perfect game. The Cavs still have work to do, especially as they continue to navigate injuries and lineup adjustments. But Garland’s performance wasn’t just a step forward-it was a reminder of what’s possible when he’s healthy and in rhythm.
If this is the beginning of Garland turning the corner, the Cavaliers have every reason to be optimistic. Because when DG is DG, Cleveland becomes a much tougher team to deal with.