Cleveland Cavaliers: NBA Insider Breaks Down a Possible Financial Reward for Evan Mobley 3 Feb 20, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guards Darius Garland (10) and Donovan Mitchell (45) react during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Garland’s Toe Injury Draws Harsh Criticism From ESPN Analyst Amid 0-2 Hole

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated May 8, 2025 8:56 AM ET

Stephen A. Smith recently called out Darius Garland on First Take because the Cleveland Cavaliers guard has missed four consecutive playoff games due to a toe injury.

With the Cleveland Cavaliers down 0-2 against the Indiana Pacers, the outspoken ESPN analyst urged Garland to fight through pain to help the team mount a comeback.

“Darius Garland, listen. A toe injury is significant. Can be very painful. I understand that. You’ve gotta be damn near crippled if you can’t play. You gotta be damn near crippled if you can’t play. You’ve gotta find a way to get out there,” Smith said about Garland.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Garland's Toe Injury Draws Harsh Criticism From ESPN Analyst Amid 0-2 Hole 2 Mar 11, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives to the basket in the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

“Limp yo’ a** out there no matter which way you’ve got to do it. I don’t give a damn. Alright? Find a way. Pad the toe, wear an extra-size shoe. Do somethin’, but you’ve got to get out there. You gotta get out there,” he added.

Cleveland Cavaliers News: Kenny Atkinson reveals “only regret” in Game 2 loss vs. Indiana Pacers

The Cleveland Cavaliers missed the services of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter in Game 2, and head coach Kenny Atkinson admitted during the postgame press conference that he should’ve played more guys because they were fatigued, especially down the stretch.

Charles Barkley Bluntly Shades Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant in Sizzling Take About Former Nets Coach- 'Kicked him off the ship' 2 Nov 6, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half reacts at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

“We ran out of gas,” Atkinson said via Akron Beacon Journal’s Ryan Lewis. “We couldn’t really separate ourselves. We couldn’t get open in the half court. Every possession they just upped their physicality again, grabbing, holding, couldn’t move, and we ran out of gas.

“My only regret is not playing more guys. We shortened the rotation, obviously. That could have been — that’s my sole regret.”