Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland moved a step closer to returning to the floor by participating in a brief live 5-on-5 scrimmage Tuesday morning, head coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters.
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the workout at the team’s practice facility marked Garland’s first full-contact action since he underwent surgery on his left big toe on June 9. Atkinson called the session “a good step,” but emphasized that the medical staff will monitor how the 24-year-old responds over the next day.
“We have to see what tomorrow brings,” Atkinson said, noting the organization will remain cautious because returns from this type of injury are rarely linear.
Garland initially hurt the toe late last season, forcing him to miss four playoff games. The club estimated a four-to-five-month recovery window following surgery. He limited himself to light individual drills during training camp at IMG Academy but has recently rejoined portions of team activities.
No official timetable has been set for Garland’s season debut. Fedor reported the guard could sit out the first 10–15 regular-season games, though the Cavaliers consider Tuesday’s scrimmage and his pregame workout that night to be meaningful progress.
Last season, Garland averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists while shooting 47 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range.
Source: Hoops Wire
