Cleveland Cavaliers say Darius Garland to be re-evaluated over the next few days

Per an update from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Darius Garland will be “re-evaluated over the next couple of days and his status will be updated as appropriate” after suffering a left eye injury against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.

According to the team, Garland underwent an exam at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute (located in downtown Cleveland, meaning Garland came back to Cleveland after the game) that revealed “no structural damage” and determined that surgery was not required.”

Garland’s injury occurred in the second quarter when he was hit in the eye by Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. Garland did not return to the game after the injury. Based on the update, it’s unclear if Garland will be available for Saturday’s game against the Chicago Bulls or Sunday’s home opener against the Washington Wizards.

Per cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, Garland did not practice on Thursday and instead stayed in the team hotel. Per Fedor, Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff talked as if Garland will not play Saturday.

“It does not look pretty,” Bickerstaff said. “When you take a hit right in that inner part of the eyelid and the eye, it’s swollen and then bloodshot on the eyeball. Just hope he gets better.” After the game, Bickerstaff said Garland was bleeding from inside his eyelid.

If Garland is unable to go, the Cavs’ options to replace him in the starting lineup would seem to be Cedi Osman or Raul Neto. Osman started in Garland’s place in the second half of the Raptors game, while Neto would be the obvious point guard option if the Cavs don’t want to play Donovan Mitchell at point guard with the starters.