Darius Garland Jaw Injury Update

Cleveland Cavaliers’ star point guard Darius Garland, who has been out of action for a month due to a broken jaw, has been cleared to resume some on-court activities. The 23-year-old player had the wiring in his mouth removed on Monday, which is a significant step towards his recovery from the injury he suffered on December 15, 2021, against the Boston Celtics.

Garland broke his jaw after colliding with Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis while driving to the basket. Since then, the All-Star player had been on a liquid diet and restricted to cheering his teammates from the bench. However, as he is now physically able to do more, Garland can set his sights on a return date. The Cavaliers initially estimated his recovery period to be at least six weeks.

Despite playing without two of their best players, Garland and power forward Evan Mobley, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last month, the Cavaliers have managed to stay among the top teams in the Eastern Conference. They have gone 10-3 in the absence of the two players and have played several under .500 teams during that span.

The Cavs have adjusted their offense with better movement and more 3-pointers, which helped them make 20 3s while attempting a franchise-record 57 in Monday’s win against the Chicago Bulls. Mobley has also increased his on-court workouts, but the 22-year-old is not expected to return until sometime in February.

Up next, the Cavs will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night before embarking on a four-game road trip.Cavaliers’ Darius Garland has wiring removed from broken jaw, resumes on-court activities
The All-Star guard has been sidelined for the past month with a broken jaw.

Darius Garland has been restricted to a liquid diet since suffering a broken jaw on Dec. 15.

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland has been cleared to resume some on-court activities after being sidelined for the past month with a broken jaw.

Garland had the wiring in his mouth removed on Monday, a significant step in his recovery from the injury sustained on Dec 15. at Boston.

He broke his jaw when he banged into Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis on what appeared to be a routine drive to the basket.

The 23-year-old Garland, who was averaging 20.7 points and 5.9 assists, has been restricted to a liquid diet since being sidelined. He has been limited to sitting on the bench and cheering on his teammates.

Now that he’s physically able to do more, Garland can eye a return date. The Cavaliers initially estimated that he would be out at least six weeks.

Cleveland has barely been slowed despite playing without Garland or power forward Evan Mobley, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last month. The Cavs have gone 10-3 without two of their best players and managed to stay among the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

Of course, it’s helped that they have played several under .500 teams during that span, but the Cavs have adjusted their offense with better movement and are shooting more 3-pointers. The Cavs made 20 3s while attempting a franchise-record 57 in Monday’s 109-91 win over the Bulls.

Mobley also has increased his on-court workouts, but the 22-year-old is not expected to be back until sometime in February.

The Cavs host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night before going on a four-game road trip.