Darius Garland Injury Update: Will the Cavaliers Star Miss Another Game Tonight?

Darius Garland will remain sidelined tonight as the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Houston Rockets. The All-Star guard is out again with a lingering toe injury that has kept him off the court since Nov. 10. This marks his fifth straight missed game and adds to a frustrating start to his season.

The Cavaliers confirmed Garland’s status earlier today, keeping him unavailable as he continues to recover from a contusion in the same toe that required offseason surgery. His absence forces Cleveland to rely again on Donovan Mitchell, Lonzo Ball, and their efficient depth to manage playmaking duties.

Latest Darius Garland Injury Update and What It Means for Cleveland

Garland’s injury problems began before the season started when he underwent toe surgery. He missed the first seven games of the 2025–26 campaign and returned for only three games before aggravating the toe in an overtime loss to the Miami Heat on Nov. 10. Reports from outlets such as the Associated Press noted that he suffered a contusion, and he has been out since.

In his limited time on the floor this season, Garland averaged 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. His shooting numbers were down, with 33.3 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three, showing he was still working his way back to full strength.

The Cavaliers enter tonight’s matchup in strong position despite Garland’s absence, sitting as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Yet they are home underdogs against Houston, a sign of how much Garland’s playmaking is missed. Without him, Cleveland leans heavily on Mitchell for ball-handling, but his assist numbers have stayed modest. According to recent coverage from Reuters and AP, Cleveland’s coaching staff has shifted more on-ball responsibility to Lonzo Ball, who has emerged as a steady facilitator.

Houston is one of the league’s toughest defensive teams against assists, ranking among the best at limiting ball movement. This puts pressure on Mitchell to balance scoring with distribution while also challenging Cleveland’s secondary creators to step up.

The team remains optimistic that Garland’s injury is manageable, but no timetable has been announced for his return. Toe injuries can linger, especially for guards who rely on quick cuts and change of pace. For now, Cleveland continues to monitor his status day by day.

Cleveland’s Adjustments and the Bigger Picture Without Garland

The Cavaliers have shown resilience this season despite the setbacks in their backcourt. Mitchell continues to score at a high level, and Ball’s presence gives them a stabilizing force. Role players such as Max Strus and Evan Mobley have also taken on more offensive responsibility.

Still, Garland’s absence affects spacing and late-game execution. Cleveland loses one of its best shooters and creators, making matchups against strong defensive teams like Houston even tougher. The longer he remains out, the more pressure builds on the Cavs’ rotation to sustain their early-season momentum.

Garland’s injury remains a key storyline for the Cavaliers. Fans are hoping for progress soon, but for now, tonight’s game will once again proceed without him. The team continues to navigate this stretch carefully, keeping long-term health as the top priority.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Is Darius Garland playing tonight?

No. Garland is out again with a toe contusion. This is his fifth straight missed game.

Q2: What happened to Darius Garland?

He aggravated his surgically repaired toe on Nov. 10. The injury has kept him out since.

Q3: When will Darius Garland return?

No timetable has been announced. The Cavaliers are evaluating him day by day.

Q4: How are the Cavaliers adjusting without Garland?

Donovan Mitchell and Lonzo Ball are sharing ball-handling duties. Other starters have taken on bigger roles.

Q5: What are Garland’s stats this season?

He has averaged 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in three games.