The Cleveland Cavaliers are facing a significant setback as All-Star guard Darius Garland has been ruled out for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Miami Heat due to a sprained left big toe. Garland aggravated his injury during Game 2, which the Cavs won to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. Coach Kenny Atkinson's attempt to assess Garland's readiness in warmups did not yield positive results, leading to his exclusion from the lineup.

Adding to the drama, Garland's comments prior to the game about targeting Tyler Herro in Cleveland's game plan have stirred tensions, provoking an equally fiery response from Herro, who questioned Garland's defensive capabilities. Despite these off-court distractions, both coaches downplayed the verbal exchanges, emphasizing that on-court performance is what ultimately matters. Garland’s absence is a notable loss as he has been pivotal for the Cavs this season, averaging 24 points and 7 assists in the playoffs.

Darius Garland's status is uncertain for the Cleveland Cavaliers' upcoming game against the Memphis Grizzlies due to a hip injury, as he was absent from shootaround. The All-Star guard has been a key player, contributing an average of 21.3 points and shooting nearly 50% from the field this season. The Cavaliers, currently leading the Eastern Conference with a remarkable 46-10 record, are riding a six-game winning streak. They recently achieved a dominant victory over the New York Knicks, and the team is performing exceptionally well at home with a 26-4 record.

Garland's potential absence could impact the Cavaliers' strategy as they aim to maintain their top position in the standings. Following the Grizzlies match, the Cavaliers will face the Orlando Magic, adding to the stakes surrounding Garland's recovery.

Darius Garland, a top free-throw shooter for the Cleveland Cavaliers, faced a moment of pressure on Wednesday night against the Houston Rockets. With just 2.1 seconds left and a chance to secure the lead, he missed two critical free throws that would have changed the game's outcome. The game, which saw the Cavaliers come back from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter, ended with the Rockets narrowly winning 109-108. Garland's missed free throws came after a flagrant foul on a three-point attempt, which granted him three free throws and another possession for the Cavs.

Despite his 90% free-throw shooting record, Garland's performance faltered when it mattered most. After missing his first two attempts, he managed to sink only one of his free throws, leaving the Cavs still down by one point. They retained possession and set up a final play for Donovan Mitchell, but his shot was off-target, sealing the Rockets' unexpected victory over the Eastern Conference leaders.