The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a rough start to the season with injuries. Part of that is bad luck. Part of that is just life in the modern NBA.
Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson confirmed that two
of his injured players could be making a return sooner rather than later.
First, let’s talk about All-Star point guard Darius Garland.
“Close,” Atkinson said when asked about Garland’s return on Wednesday. “Really close. I think he’s close. I think he’s itching. … He’s had contact, he’s played three-on-three, four-on-four, some five, little bit of five-on-five, as much as we do. I just think we’re right there, where we’re getting real close to getting over that hump and having him in the lineup.”
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Garland has only played two complete games with the Cavs this season and part of another. He injured his toe last spring, which caused him to miss postseason games in both the first and second rounds. Garland had surgery on his toe this offseason and returned to the court on Nov. 15, before suffering a setback less than a week later. He is averaging 13 points and 5 rebounds so far this season.
Cleveland could also be welcoming Jaylon Tyson back to the lineup. Wednesday’s game against the Houston Rockets will be the fifth he’s missed since suffering a concussion in the overtime loss to the Miami Heat on Nov. 10.
Tyson did some on-court work with the team in shootaround on Wednesday.
“He’s super close,” Atkinson said of Tyson. “I even think this game it was [a possibility]. … Steve [Spiro, head athletic trainer] really takes a good approach with these guys. We can wait another game…we’re hoping on Friday. But he’s looked great in his return to play protocol.”
Tyson is averaging 11.1 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 11 outings.
The Cavaliers host the Indiana Pacers on Friday in an NBA Cup group stage game and the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. We’ll see if either or both players can make a return this weekend.
