Cavs Injury Update: Garland Sidelined, Merrill and Wade Progressing, Strus Ramps Up
The Cleveland Cavaliers are riding high after a pair of gritty wins in Philadelphia, but the team didn’t come home entirely unscathed. While the back-to-back victories over the 76ers were a welcome boost, the Cavs now face a few injury hurdles-most notably with starting guard Darius Garland.
Garland, who’s already had his share of injury setbacks in recent months, is dealing with soreness in his right big toe-the opposite foot from the one he had surgery on last season. The official diagnosis?
A Grade 1 sprain of the right great toe. It’s not the most severe type of sprain, but it’s enough to keep him off the court for now.
The team plans to reevaluate him in 7 to 10 days as he continues treatment and rehab.
This isn’t ideal timing for Garland or the Cavs. He’s been a central piece in Cleveland’s offensive rhythm, and while the team has shown it can win without him, his absence will be felt-especially against high-paced teams that challenge perimeter defense and ball movement.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson was brief when asked about Garland’s status after Sunday’s practice, saying, “We’re going to have an update on DG this afternoon, so I’ll let that one ride.” That update came shortly after, confirming the sprain and the timeline for reevaluation.
Garland isn’t the only Cavalier on the mend. Guard Sam Merrill is also nursing a pair of injuries-one to his hand and another to his ankle.
Merrill sat out Sunday’s practice, but the outlook appears more optimistic in his case. Atkinson noted that Merrill is currently recovering and emphasized that it doesn’t appear to be a long-term issue.
“He didn’t practice today just to rest,” Atkinson said, suggesting the team is taking a precautionary approach.
There was some encouraging news on the injury front as well. Forward Dean Wade was back on the practice floor Sunday as he continues to work through a knee issue.
While he’s not fully in the clear yet, he’s trending in the right direction and will be a game-time decision for Monday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. For a team that values defensive versatility and spacing, Wade’s availability could be a key factor.
And then there’s Max Strus, who’s been sidelined all season following offseason foot surgery. The swingman was spotted on the court during Sunday’s session, going through some individual work as he ramps up his activity.
It’s a promising sign for a player who was brought in to be a floor-spacing, high-energy contributor. While there’s still no firm date for his debut, the fact that he’s ramping up is a positive development for Cleveland’s rotation depth.
Injuries are part of the grind, especially in the thick of the NBA season, but the Cavs are managing the bumps and bruises with a steady hand. With Garland out and others working their way back, it’s a chance for the bench to step up-and for the coaching staff to keep tinkering with lineups as they navigate a tough stretch of the schedule.