Darius Garland has been sidelined for the last four games of the playoffs due to a sprained toe, and ESPN’s commentator Stephen A. Smith expressed little sympathy for his condition. In the second matchup of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ initial playoff series, which resulted in a sweep over the Miami Heat, Garland contributed 21 points and nine assists over 32 minutes. However, he exacerbated his injury to his left big toe towards the end of that game and hasn’t appeared on the court since.
As the Cavaliers currently trail 0-2 against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Smith voiced his opinions on the ESPN show First Take on Wednesday morning. He emphasized the urgency for Garland to return to play, pointing out that teammate Donovan Mitchell is in dire need of support.
Stephen A. Smith was quite blunt in his remarks, as captured in a tweet from First Take:
“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
“Darius Garland, listen. A toe injury is significant. It can be very painful. I understand that,” Smith stated. “But you’ve got to be practically incapacitated if it stops you from playing. You need to find a way to be out there. Just last night, Nemphardt and Haliburton racked up 45 points, about 19 assists, and only one turnover. They are getting solid guard play in Indiana. Donovan Mitchell needs assistance. It doesn’t matter if it’s Ty Jerome, Struss, or anyone else, these guys aren’t point guards. Okay? He needs some help in the backcourt. You’ve missed four straight games, Darius Garland. I mean, come on. You have the whole offseason to recover. Somehow, someway. You’re on the brink of elimination. You have to play. You must find a way. Limp out there no matter how. I don’t care. Just do it. Pad the toe, wear a bigger shoe size. Just do something, but you have to be out there.”
During the regular season, Garland was a key player for the Cavaliers, finishing second on the team in points, steals, and minutes, and leading in assists.
In Garland’s absence, Sam Merrill started the first three postseason games. Garland was hopeful he would be fit for Game 2 against Indiana, but ultimately could not participate, leading to Ty Jerome stepping in. Jerome struggled significantly, shooting only 1 of 14 from the field.
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