The Cavaliers need Darius Garland to overcome adversity one more time

After a season marred with injury and declining statistics, Darius Garland is ready to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers deep into the playoffs.

A little over a year ago, around the time of the 2024 NBA All-Star break, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland was speechless.

Literally.

Recovering from a broken jaw suffered during an in-game collision, Garland’s mouth was wired shut, rendering him unable to speak or eat. The fractured jaw was one of a few setbacks for Garland last season, whose play on the court was also more quiet than the NBA had grown accustomed to.

In 2023-24, Garland posted his worst scoring average and field goal percentage since his rookie year, and the Cavaliers took a step back as well, winning 48 games a year after winning 51. In the playoffs, a still-recovering Garland looked like a shell of himself by the time Cleveland was bounced in five games in the second round by the Boston Celtics. 

All the adversity raised big-picture questions for Garland and the Cavs. Did injuries permanently rob him of his previous All-Star form? Could Garland and backcourt mate Donovan Mitchell coexist? Has the team reached a ceiling?