Darius Garland’s toe injury has really put the Cleveland Cavaliers in a tough spot.
The Cavs faced two crucial losses in Games 1 and 2 without him on the court.
However, despite his struggle, Stephen A. Smith definitely didn’t hold back. The analyst made a pointed remark and said that you’ve got to be almost “crippled” not to play in such high-stakes games.
“You gotta be damn near crippled if you can’t play. You gotta find a way to get out there… you’re on the brink of elimination. … Limp yo a*s out there no matter which way you got to do it,” Smith said.
"You're on the brink of elimination. … Limp yo ass out there no matter which way you got to do it."
—@stephenasmith on Darius Garland's toe injury pic.twitter.com/xYnZmp9gQJ
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 7, 2025
Despite Stephen A. calling out Garland for something he can’t control, his injury is more serious than it might seem initially. The big toe plays a massive role in balance and agility, especially for a player like Garland, who relies on quick footwork and shooting power.
With a sprained toe, he could struggle to get off the ground or change direction like he usually does, which is a big deal for a point guard.
If reports are accurate and he’s out for one to two weeks, the Cavaliers will have to make some tough decisions. They might have to lean on their bench and find new ways to navigate without their star guard.
Former Grizzlies Star Calls Out Darius Garland Before Game 3
The Cavaliers are in a challenging situation after losing the first two games of the Conference Semifinals against the Pacers.
The losses have left the Cavs with minimal momentum as they prepare for upcoming games in Indiana. A significant factor in their struggles has been the absence of key players, All-Stars Darius Garland and Evan Mobley.
Additionally, De’Andre Hunter, along with these two, has been sidelined due to injuries. Despite Donovan Mitchell’s impressive 48-point performance, it was not sufficient to secure a victory.
Amidst these difficulties, former Grizzlies star Chandler Parsons criticized Darius Garland for the Cavaliers’ situation on FanDuel TV.
“I was hurt more than anybody. Most of my injuries required surgery. When I see something like this about a toe or a sprained finger, that to me is something you can wrap up, take some medicine, whatever you gotta do, and you play. Even if it’s gonna give your team a boost of energy, or confidence, or a jolt,” Parsons said of Garland.
The Cavs need Darius Garland & Evan Mobley to play injured in Game 3
"Play the first 5 minutes and pull yourself. At this point down 2-0 on the road, you gotta be all hands on deck." @ChandlerParsons
"Jarrett Allen got crushed last year for not dressing." @MichelleDBeadle pic.twitter.com/Bat7YUt73l
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 7, 2025
“Play the first 5 minutes and pull yourself. At this point down, you’re 2-0 on the road, you gotta be all hands on deck,” he added.
Parsons emphasized that players should be willing to take the court, even briefly, for the morale boost it could provide the team.