Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland is closing in on his 2025-26 season debut following left big toe surgery in June. Head coach Kenny Atkinson confirmed Garland had a full shootaround and strong scrimmage sessions with the G League affiliate, signaling progress toward his return, per Andrei de Guzman of Sporting News.
Garland, who underwent surgery after the playoffs, has been progressing through treatment and rehabilitation for the past four to five months. Atkinson emphasized there have been no setbacks, and Garland has been cleared to perform game-like drills to prepare for NBA action.
The Cavaliers have relied heavily on Donovan Mitchell in Garland’s absence, with Mitchell averaging 28 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.4 rebounds over the first five games. Evan Mobley has added 20.2 points and 9 assists per contest, helping stabilize the team’s offense while Cleveland searches for consistency.
Garland’s return is expected to provide a significant boost to the Cavaliers’ backcourt. The 25-year-old has averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists over the last season. His presence will relieve pressure on Mitchell and improve Cleveland’s spacing and scoring balance.
The Cavaliers hope that Garland’s imminent return will complement a roster that also includes Jarrett Allen, De’Andre Hunter, and Lonzo Ball, all contributing to team depth.
