Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard Darius Garland had a specific complaint shortly after Thursday’s 135-126 loss at the Indiana Pacers.
“Just getting hacked all season,” Garland said, per Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “Nothing has changed. The physicality isn’t a factor at all. It’s the whistle not being blown at the right time when it’s a foul, an obvious foul. Some of this stuff we should be reviewing.”
Garland was referencing a thumb injury he suffered early in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s contest after he took a shot to his right hand delivered by Indiana forward Oshae Brissett. The 22-year-old attempted to play through discomfort but failed to score after the setback.
He insisted he wants to take the court for Saturday’s game at the Chicago Bulls, but his status for the evening encounter is unclear.
Garland missed time this fall due to an eye injury he suffered because of a swipe to his face he endured during the season opener against the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 19. He said he thinks he’s since taken “eight” additional blows to that same eye, and Fedor noted that the Cavaliers “believe the increased physicality is purposeful — a result of opponents determining that’s the only method to slow the shifty, crafty and quick guard.”
Garland has suggested he should wear a mask or goggles to better protect himself from shots he continues to experience as of the early days of winter.
“The whole thing about the league taking care of the players, it seems like we’re not doing that as much this year,” Garland added during his comments. “At least, the way we did in previous years.”
Per ESPN stats, Garland leads all Cleveland players with an average of 7.8 assists per game and is second on the team in scoring with 21.4 points per contest. If he can’t play Saturday night in Chicago, he may try to get right for Monday’s home game against those same Bulls.
