CLEVELAND - It is good news for Garland. The star guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers has no structural damage after injuring his left eye in the Cavaliers' season opener in Toronto.
Garland was removed in the second quarter of Wednesday’s season-opening 108-105 loss to the Toronto Raptors after being poked in the eye accidentally by Gary Trent Jr.
The incident occurred after an inbound pass in the second quarter in which Trent Jr. reached for the ball that Garland possessed and missed high as his hand struck the left eyeball.
Cleveland head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said postgame Garland was bleeding from a cut inside the left eyelid.
The Cavs statement indicates that Garland received additional examination at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute after returning to the states Thursday. The 2019 first-round selection will be reevaluated over the next couple of days and his status will be updated after that evaluation.
Garland’s new teammate in the backcourt, Donovan Mitchell praised the 22-year-old’s toughness.
Darius Garland, after an All-Star season inked a five-year, 193 million dollar deal. The contract is the largest deal in franchise history and keeps Garland in Cleveland until 2028.