Cavs All-Star Darius Garland avoids structural damage after eye injury in season opener
The new era of the Cleveland Cavaliers backcourt got off to a rough start on Wednesday.
Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland got poked in the eye in their season opener against the Toronto Raptors. He was helped to the locker room and quickly ruled out of the game with an eye injury.
The injury occurred late in the first half when Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. inadvertently poked Garland in his left eye while trying to disrupt an incoming pass. Garland crumpled to the court and needed help walking to the Cleveland locker room.
Darius Garland eye injury, hope he comes back 2nd half pic.twitter.com/tdmIEzoXgZ
— Ted Buddwell 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8) October 20, 2022
He didn't return for the second half, and the Cavs ruled him out for the game.
The team confirmed on Thursday that Garland sustained an eye injury, but that he didn't have any structural damage and does not need surgery. It's unclear how long he will be out.
"It does not look pretty," Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "When you take a hit right in that inner part of the eyelid and the eye, it's swollen and then bloodshot on the eyeball."
Bickerstaff said he didn't think Garland had any vision issues, but it was hard to be sure.
"His head and everything was clear, but he was cut and bleeding pretty good from the inside of his eyelid, Bickerstaff told reporters.
The Raptors overcome a 57-51 halftime deficit for a 108-105 win.
Garland, 22, is coming off a breakout season, averaging 21.7 points, 8.6 assists and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 38.3% from 3-point distance. His effort earned the first All-Star bid of his three-season career.
The Cavaliers traded for Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in the offseason, creating an All-Star backcourt. The development of the newly formed backcourt is now on pause — for a night, at least.
Garland struggled from the field and with ball control in his limited action on Wednesday, shooting 2-for-8 from the floor while tallying four points, three assists, two steals and five turnovers in 13 minutes.
