Darius Garland will be looking forward to helping the Cleveland Cavaliers contend in the Eastern Conference next season.
The Cavaliers missed out on a golden opportunity to make the NBA Finals last season after a 4-1 semifinal defeat to the Indiana Pacers.
The series could have gone differently if Garland had not been dealing with a toe injury, which he has since undergone surgery to repair.
And it was not the first physical setback in the point guard’s career, as he also suffered a serious injury in the 2023-24 campaign.
Garland has recalled the collision with Kristaps Porzingis that led to him missing several weeks with a broken jaw.
Garland ran into Porzingis while dribbling in a game against the Boston Celtics and immediately fell to the ground in pain.
He did not know at the time, but it turned out that he fractured his jaw and would need to have his mouth wired shut for weeks.
Garland could not even eat or speak, and feared that his NBA career “might be over” as he struggled mentally throughout the process.
“Coming off a ball screen, Porzingis is in the drop, I’m driving past him, and he gives me like a little nudge,” he recalled the incident.
“I’m thinking, ‘My tooth just chipped, I’m fine, just let me go back in the game.’ I’m trying to talk on defense, and I can’t really open my mouth.
“I was like, ‘Damn, it might be over. I can’t eat, I can’t talk, I can’t do anything, I can’t smile.’ I had one little hole in the back of my mouth where I could get food in. I felt like I was just worthless, to be honest with you.
“I just had my brother here. He was trying to do everything he could to put a smile on my face, but nothing was helping. I just wanted to play basketball.”
In the ‘Pass the Rock’ documentary, Garland explained that he wants to make his father, former NBA player Winston, as proud as possible.
The Cavs guard also shared that he wants to inspire the younger generation to pursue their dreams and loves seeing his fans in the stands.
“I want to make myself and my family proud, most importantly, and just bring a bright light to all the fans across the world,” Garland added. “If they put their mind to it, they can be in the NBA just like I am.
“I think that’s what my dad would be most excited and proud about, just seeing his baby boy grow up and doing something he really loves to do. Hearing young kids say my name and wear my jersey in the crowd is super cool to see.”
