Cleveland Cavaliers' starting point guard Darius Garland has suffered a toe injury during a dramatic overtime game against the Miami Heat, raising concerns about the young star's health and the team's upcoming schedule.
Game Incident and Timing
The injury occurred during the third quarter of Tuesday's matchup between the Cavaliers and the host Miami Heat on November 11, 2025. Despite the injury, the game continued into overtime where Cleveland ultimately fell to Miami with a final score of 138-140 in this National Basketball Association contest.
Garland, who serves as the team's primary playmaker and scoring threat, was forced to exit the game following the incident. The exact mechanism of the injury remains unclear, but team medical staff immediately attended to the point guard on the court.
Medical History and Concerns
This latest injury raises significant concerns given Garland's recent medical history. The talented guard underwent surgery in June of this year, though the specific nature of that previous procedure hasn't been disclosed in relation to this new injury.
Team officials and medical staff are currently evaluating whether there's any connection between this new toe injury and the same ankle area that required surgical intervention just months earlier. No definitive determination has been made about the relationship between these two medical issues at this time.
Potential Impact on Cavaliers
The loss of Garland for any significant period could substantially impact the Cavaliers' performance this season. As the team's primary ball-handler and offensive creator, his absence would create a substantial void in Cleveland's backcourt rotation.
This development comes at a crucial point in the NBA season, with teams positioning themselves for playoff contention. The Cavaliers organization has not provided a timeline for Garland's return or the severity of the injury, leaving fans and analysts awaiting further medical updates.
The team's medical staff will likely conduct additional imaging and evaluation in the coming days to determine the full extent of the injury and develop an appropriate treatment plan.