Cavaliers Prioritize Darius Garland Toe Surgery Recovery Ahead Training Camp

The Cleveland Cavaliers are prioritizing patience with All-Star guard Darius Garland's recovery from offseason toe surgery, recognizing his critical role for the team's 2025-26 NBA season and playoff aspirations. Garland struggled through the 2025 playoffs due to the injury, which impacted his performance, but post-surgery he describes feeling much better, likening his recovery to regaining a "10th toe." Despite progress, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson and team management emphasize not rushing Garland back, with Atkinson expressing doubts about Garland being ready for training camp and the start of the season. Garland's injury and subsequent surgery highlight the importance of physical conditioning; Cavaliers executives stress the need for him to get stronger to compete at the highest level. The Cavaliers finished the previous season with 64 wins and the best Eastern Conference record but fell short in the playoffs, underscoring the need for Garland's full health to achieve a deeper postseason run. Overall, the team is willing to sacrifice some early-season wins to ensure Garland returns fully healthy, aiming to build on their regular-season success and contend strongly in the playoffs.