Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland cheers from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, in Cleveland.
AP Photo | Ron Schwane
CLEVELAND — For the first time in more than six weeks, the Cleveland Cavaliers are nearly complete.
Point guard Darius Garland, who broke his jaw on Dec. 14 in Boston, is expected to return and play Wednesday night against the Detroit Pistons.
Garland’s return is another boost for the surging Cavs, who despite being without the 24-year-old as well as forward Evan Mobley (knee surgery) for nearly two months, have played their best ball this season.
The Cavs went 14-4 without two of their starters, and they’ve won 10 of 11 to move within 2 1/2 games of Milwaukee for the No. 2 overall spot in the Eastern Conference. Mobley returned on Monday night in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Cleveland has gone 15-4 since Dec. 16, a day after the team announced both Garland and Mobley would be out indefinitely.
“They put us over the hump from a talent standpoint,” forward Georges Niang said after shootaround. “Those guys are a huge key to our success. Yes, we survived with them out, but we’re extremely excited to have them back in the lineup.”
Now in his fifth season, Garland averaged 20.7 points and 5.9 assists in 20 games before getting hurt.
Garland broke his jaw on what looked like a run-of-the-mill play. While driving to the basket, Garland banged the right side of his face into Celtics center Kristin Porzingis and suffered a fracture that required surgery.
Garland’s jaw was wired shut for a month, restricting him to a liquid diet. In the past two weeks, he’s been able to build strength and put on some of the weight he lost during his recovery.
Like Mobley, Garland’s minutes will be limited as he works his way back. After facing the Pistons, the Cavs will play at Memphis on Thursday and at San Antonio on Saturday.
