Overview
- ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Garland will be upgraded on Cleveland’s injury report and could play Wednesday, with Friday in Washington as the next target if he is not cleared.
- Head coach Kenny Atkinson said Garland is “really close” after completing a full practice Tuesday and building up through 5‑on‑5 work and a G League assignment.
- The Cavaliers plan a cautious reintegration with a feel‑out minutes plan once he’s active, with Atkinson indicating a moderate workload rather than a hard cap.
- Garland had offseason surgery in June to repair a left big toe (turf toe) injury that limited him late last season and into the playoffs.
- Cleveland opened 4‑3 and has slipped to a bottom‑five offense through seven games without him, and his return is expected to ease creation duties on Donovan Mitchell and improve spacing.