The Thursday NBA night slate was a tough one for the Cleveland Cavaliers. They had the record for the fastest 3-pointer in a game set against them by Buddy Hield, who stole the opening tip that Jarrett Allen won, turned, and splashed a 3-pointer three seconds into the game.
It was a back-and-forth affair for most of the evening until Indiana seized control in the second half. They outscored Cleveland by 13 in the third and fourth quarters en route to a 135-126 victory.
Not only was the outcome a disappointment for the Cavaliers, but they also suffered more than a loss on their record. Point guard Darius Garland injured his thumb late in the game, and while he was able to wrap it up and get back in the game, there is concern that he will have to miss some time.
“Just getting hacked all season,” Garland said following the game Thursday. “Nothing has changed. The physicality isn’t a factor at all. It’s the whistle not being blown at the right time when it’s a foul, an obvious foul. Some of this stuff we should be reviewing.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Darius Garland & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Garland remained on the court for two possessions before J.B. Bickerstaff called a timeout and he headed to the end of the bench for treatment. He re-entered the game a few minutes late with a wrap on his hand but seemed to be more of a decoy as he didn’t attempt a shot or score a point after coming back in.
A very good free throw shooter, Garland uncharacteristically missed two foul shots late in the game as well, which likely stemmed from the injury to his thumb.
“It was bothering me a lot,” Garland admitted. “I was just trying to go out there and compete as much as I could. The last two free throws, I looked at J.B. and I was like, ‘Ah, I really don’t want to shoot these.’ But I got fouled and just tried to make two. They didn’t go in. Everything hurt. I was playing with a wrapped thumb. I couldn’t really do anything. I wasn’t going to be effective with that. It was already throbbing and swollen at that point.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Darius Garland & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
That is certainly not a positive sign for Garland, who already missed time this season after an inadvertent eye poke by Gary Trent Jr. in the season opener led to him missing five games. While the Cavaliers would assuredly prefer for him to be in the lineup, they at least know they can find success when he is sidelined.
Cleveland went 5-0 during that stretch earlier in the season as Donovan Mitchell put the team on his back. Overall, the Cavaliers are 6-0 without Garland this season, a testament to the work Bickerstaff does to have his team ready no matter the obstacles they are facing.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Darius Garland & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Garland is hoping to be ready for the team’s game on Saturday night against the Chicago Bulls, but no official update has been given. With a five-game road trip starting next week, the Cavaliers will assuredly want to make sure Garland is healthy and ready to go for that stretch.
