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Darius Garland had plenty of hype coming out of college, even though he played sparingly during his single season at Vanderbilt. Fortunately, front offices around the National Basketball Association realized his potential, so his small sample size at the collegiate level didn't stop the Cavaliers from taking him with the No. 5 overall selection of the 2019 NBA Draft.
The 22-year-old had a mediocre inaugural season, finishing with an average of 12.3 points per game. While things improved as a sophomore, Collin Sexton's season-ending injury in 2021 allowed Garland to take over as the Cavs' undisputed No. 1 offensive option, permitting him to average a career-high 21.7 points and 8.6 assists while also earning him an All-Star bid.
With recent news that Garland getting injured, how much time will he miss and how will this affect fantasy basketball lineups? Let's dig in.
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Darius Garland Injury News
Garland recently injured his thumb during a recent meeting with the Indiana Pacers, leaving fantasy managers wondering if he'd miss time moving ahead.
He briefly exited the game in the fourth quarter in that one, although he managed to return with his hand wrapped. However, it was apparent the injury was affecting him. As a result, he was questionable heading into Saturday's meeting with the Chicago Bulls.
Yet, Garland wasn't healthy enough to suit up. But considering there was a chance he might have been available for the New Year's Eve meeting seemed to suggest he could be back in the lineup soon. Unfortunately, that doesn't appear to be the case, as the Garland is considered doubtful for Monday's Central Division rematch with Chicago.
How Much Time Will Darius Garland Miss?
Garland isn't a stranger to missing time, as he had a multi-game absence earlier in the season because of an eye injury suffered in the opener. It's possible he could return from his most recent ailment before he's 100%. However, he indicated he's in pain, which won't help him be productive on the court.
After Monday's meeting with the Bulls, Cleveland has three more games remaining in the first week of 2023, specifically, meetings with Phoenix, Denver, and Phoenix (in that order). While Garland could recover enough to return in one of those games, it's reasonable to believe he may need to consult a specialist if things don't improve.
Who Will Benefit If Darius Garland Misses Multiple Games?
The good news is that even if Garland misses a significant amount of time, Ricky Rubio is nearing a return from a knee injury, which will help lessen the blow for fantasy managers. Donovan Mitchell, who will have the ball in his hands more than usual without Garland on the court, will benefit from a bump in usage.
Then, there's Caris LeVert, who always seems to deliver when moved into the first five. The former Brooklyn Net is averaging 12.2 points, 4.2 boards, and 3.7 assists this season. However, in his 17 appearances in the starting lineup, he's averaged 14.6 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. LeVert also shoots 39.5% from deep when he starts, compared to 35.0% when he doesn't. While he's not guaranteed to remain a starter if Garland remains out, he should get more than enough minutes off the bench to continue to see an uptick in fantasy production.
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