In a crucial Game 4 matchup against the Miami Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be without their star guard Darius Garland, who continues to nurse a sprained left great toe. Garland, who aggravated the injury during Game 2, missed the Cavaliers' dominant 121-84 victory in Game 3 and will now sit out Game 4 as well. Despite the setback, coach Kenny Atkinson remains optimistic about Garland's recovery, emphasizing the need to manage the pain associated with the injury.
Garland's absence poses a significant challenge for the Cavaliers as they aim to close out the series with a sweep. The All-Star guard has been instrumental in Cleveland's success, averaging 24 points and seven assists per game in the first two matchups against Miami. With Game 5 looming in Cleveland, the team will need to rely on its depth and resilience to secure victory without Garland on the court. As the Cavaliers look to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, the focus shifts to managing Garland's injury and preparing for potential matchups against Indiana or Milwaukee in the next round.