Darius Garland’s Resurgence: From Broken Jaw to All-Star and Leading the Cavaliers’ Charge
Darius Garland’s smile, a signature element of his on-court persona, vanished for a time. The Cleveland Cavaliers guard experienced a jarring setback when he fractured his jaw in a game against the Boston Celtics on December 14, 2023. The injury necessitated surgery, and in its aftermath, his jaw was wired shut to facilitate proper healing. This seemingly simple procedure had far-reaching consequences that impacted nearly every aspect of Garland’s life, both on and off the court.
The immediate effects were physical. Garland was forced to alter his diet, relying on a straw for sustenance. This abrupt change led to a 10% reduction in his body weight, a significant loss for a professional athlete who depends on physical strength and endurance. Beyond the physical challenges, the inability to communicate freely became a source of frustration. Talking, a fundamental aspect of human interaction, was suddenly limited.
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of Garland’s ordeal was his inability to be around his teammates in the same capacity. He cherishes the camaraderie and support he receives from his fellow Cavaliers, and being sidelined prevented him from fully participating in team activities. Furthermore, the injury robbed him of the joy he derives from playing basketball. He was relegated to the role of spectator, forced to watch Cleveland’s successes from the sidelines.
To compound matters, Garland’s performance prior to the injury was not up to the standard he had set for himself. He wasn’t performing at the level that earned him an All-Star selection in 2022. The mental toll of these combined challenges weighed heavily on him. "The mental part was the toughest," Garland confessed. "Not being able to do the things I normally do."
However, like a resilient plant pushing through concrete, Garland has rebounded from this adversity. The joy and the smile are back, brighter than ever. He earned another All-Star nod this season, a testament to his hard work and dedication. More importantly, he has become an integral part of the Cavaliers’ success story, leading them to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
As the Cavaliers prepare for their game against the Charlotte Hornets, they boast a league-leading record of 52-10. They hold a comfortable eight-game lead over the Boston Celtics, the reigning NBA champions, positioning them as the frontrunners for the No. 1 seed in the East. Their current 12-game winning streak is a testament to their consistency and cohesiveness. Remarkably, this is the third time this season that they have won at least 10 consecutive games, including a dominant 15-0 start. The team is also on pace to surpass the franchise’s all-time record for season victories, eclipsing the 66-16 mark set during the 2008-09 season.
Garland’s contribution to this success cannot be overstated. He was one of three Cavaliers players named All-Stars, alongside Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. In his sixth NBA season, he is enjoying a career year, showcasing his skills and leadership abilities. In a recent victory over the Miami Heat, Garland contributed 15 points and 10 assists, highlighting his all-around game. He is averaging 21.0 points per game, just shy of his career-best of 21.7, while shooting career-high percentages from the field (48.1%) and from beyond the arc (41.9%). He is also averaging 6.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game, further demonstrating his impact on both ends of the court. Garland has been particularly effective in clutch situations, shooting an impressive 59.5% from the field and 61.5% on 3-pointers in games decided by five points or less in the final five minutes of regulation or overtime.
"This is a totally different year. It’s crazy what a total year can do and the entire 180 that has happened. It’s truly an honor," Garland exclaimed. "It’s a blessing that I can do something I love and have one of my senses back."
He reflects on the challenges he faced last year, when he rushed back from injury in an attempt to rejoin his teammates during the playoffs. "I rushed back last year trying to get back on the floor with the guys, and that’s when I was down almost 20 pounds in the second round of the playoffs trying to play against the [eventual] NBA champions. That’s how eager I was. But now I’m fully healthy, had a full summer just to recover and get my weight back up and just work on my craft. It’s a big difference."
The Garland-Mitchell backcourt has emerged as one of the most dynamic and potent pairings in the NBA. They ignite Cleveland’s offense with their scoring prowess and playmaking abilities. They are integral to the Cavaliers’ most efficient five-man lineups. First-year coach Kenny Atkinson praised Garland’s performance, stating, "He’s been incredible in the clutch. He’s shooting the ball great. Playing good defense. I look around the league, and I respect the league, and he’s got to be in that top tier. Phenomenal player."
Garland, at 25 years old, has embraced the feel-good story unfolding in Cleveland. The Cavaliers, historically overshadowed by the LeBron James era, are now embarking on a new chapter, led by a core of young and talented players. Excluding the seasons when LeBron James was on the roster, the Cavaliers have only reached the conference finals twice (1976, 1992) and have never advanced to the NBA Finals.
"It’s a whole new revamp," Garland emphasized. "Cleveland is known from LeBron, but now it’s a shift to different young guys. Three young guys in the All-Star Game. Should have been four young guys (Jarrett Allen). I just want to really recognize the shift between the LeBron era to the Core Four because (president of basketball operations) Koby (Altman) and (general manager) Mike (Gansey) and everybody in that front office has really done a really good job from the draft and getting the trade with Donovan and even now, picking up De’Andre Hunter at the trade deadline. It’s a new wave of guys coming in and really trying to do something special for Cleveland."
Garland has also adapted to a slight shift in his role, accepting fewer minutes per game to allow for greater utilization of the team’s depth. Atkinson approached his starters with the idea of reducing their playing time to better distribute minutes among the roster. While the concept of playing less wasn’t immediately appealing to Garland, he ultimately embraced the strategy after considering its long-term benefits.
"I didn’t really like the concept when Kenny was talking to me about it," Garland admitted. "But during training camp, our depth was one of the main things that we were talking about. We had so many weapons down the line, so many different guys we can go to and different lineups, we could switch in and out. Me and Donovan talked about it, and we just ran with it."
"We just tried to trust in his process and Kenny’s process and what he was preaching to us, and he said, ‘This is going to make us a lot better, and then we can up our minutes when we get closer to the playoffs when we really need to.’"
Despite playing three fewer minutes per game than last season and five fewer than in the two seasons prior, Garland is having the most efficient shooting season of his career.
"One of our biggest things in the past couple of years was not being healthy going into the playoffs," Garland explained. "Kenny wanted to really emphasize us being healthy when we really needed to be healthy and when we needed to be full force."
The Cavaliers and Darius Garland have every reason to smile right now. Their success is a testament to their resilience, hard work, and dedication to the game. As they continue their quest for a championship, they do so with a renewed sense of purpose and a shared belief that anything is possible.
