The Cleveland Cavaliers lost their homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals as they fell in Game 1 to the Indiana Pacers, 112–121.
According to NBA on TNT reporter Jared Greenberg, Garland remains day-to-day and could very well play on Tuesday. However, he continues to deal with swelling and pain in his left great toe.
Per the report, the team wants him to feel confident and not be laboring before he returns to game action. Although there is no structural damage to his toe, his discomfort persists.
After the Game 1 loss, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson also addressed Garland’s injury, saying that he’s still hurting and emphasizing that they don’t want him on the court if he’s not fully ready to play.
“He wasn’t ready. It’s a day-to-day thing. We’ll check him tomorrow,” Atkinson said after Game 1. “I know he’s desperate to play. We need his speed and shot-making. I mean, he’s an All-Star. We’ll check him tomorrow, and I’ll check in with him, see where he is.”
“It’s a tough one, especially, like I said pregame, with the stopping and starting. He’s hurting,” he added.
“We just have to see if he can figure it out, if we can figure it out—just get him going. We don’t want them out there at 60%, 50%, not with the way they’re pressuring the ball. It just doesn’t make sense,” Atkinson said.
