Garland, who aggravated the injury late in Game 2, attempted a pregame warmup on Saturday in hopes of suiting up. However, about 30 minutes before tip-off, the Cavaliers announced he would be sidelined. Despite his absence, Cleveland still dominated Miami with a statement 124-87 win, marking the Heat’s worst playoff loss in franchise history.
Garland had been crucial for the Cavs, averaging 24 points and seven assists through the first two games. Over the regular season, he posted 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game, with Cleveland boasting a 62-15 record when he played.
Off the court, Garland made headlines after Game 2 by suggesting that Cleveland’s offensive game plan involved “picking on” Heat guard Tyler Herro. Herro fired back, criticizing Garland’s comments and pointing out his defensive shortcomings. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, however, brushed off the war of words, focusing instead on the competitive nature of the series.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson downplayed the trash talk, saying, “It’s like the playground, right? Sometimes there’s some verbal stuff. Once that ball is thrown up, none of that stuff matters.”
With a commanding 3-0 series lead after Saturday’s win, the Cavs now have the upper hand — and Garland’s return could make them even more dangerous moving forward.
