Cleveland Cavaliers’ Darius Garland Sidelined with Grade 1 Sprain of Right Big Toe
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 sprain of his right big toe, the team announced on Sunday, January 18, 2026. According to the Cavaliers, Garland will be reevaluated in seven to 10 days to assess his progress and determine a potential return to play timeline.
Garland suffered the injury during the Cavaliers’ 133-107 win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. He exited the game midway through the third quarter after having the ball stolen from him and was helped to his feet, limping to the bench before making his way to the locker room. Further evaluation at Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine on Saturday confirmed the Grade 1 sprain.
Previous Injury Issues
Garland has been dealing with turf toe on his left foot since last season, which caused him problems down the stretch and through the Cavaliers’ playoff run. He underwent surgery on the foot, which delayed his start to the 2025-26 season. Despite these setbacks, Garland has been performing well, averaging 17.9 points and 6.9 assists in 25 games this season.
Before exiting the game against the 76ers, Garland had 20 points and seven assists in 23 minutes, demonstrating his value to the team. As a two-time All-Star who will turn 26 this month, Garland’s health is crucial to the Cavaliers’ success. The team will be monitoring his progress closely and hopes to have him back on the court soon.
For more information on Darius Garland’s injury and the Cleveland Cavaliers, visit ESPN for the latest updates and analysis from experts like Tim Bontemps.
