Watching the Cleveland Cavaliers dismantle the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night should have been a pure celebration. Donovan Mitchell was out there dropping 35 points like it was a casual Tuesday at the park. The vibes were high. Cleveland won 133-107. But honestly, if you were watching closely, the mood shifted fast in the third quarter.
Darius Garland went down.
He didn't just stumble; he went after a loose ball with that typical Garland intensity and ended up limping off to the locker room. The team later confirmed it was a right foot injury. It’s tough. You've got a guy who has already dealt with a nagging "turf toe" issue on his other foot most of the season, and now this.
For anyone tracking the cleveland cavaliers injury report, this feels like a "here we go again" moment for a team that has been trying to find its rhythm all year.
The Latest Blow: Garland and Merrill
Head coach Kenny Atkinson didn't sound like he was expecting a miracle recovery for the Friday night rematch. He basically labeled both Darius Garland and Sam Merrill as "doubtful."
Wait, Merrill? Yeah, if you missed it, Sam also caught a break—not the good kind. He reinjured his right hand in the first half of that same Philly game. He’s been a vital spark off the bench, and losing him and Garland in the same 48-hour span is a massive headache for the rotation.
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- Darius Garland: Right foot injury. Status: Doubtful for Friday.
- Sam Merrill: Right hand injury. Status: Doubtful for Friday.
When Garland is on, he’s the engine. He was "hooping," as Mitchell put it, before he went out. 20 points and seven assists in just 23 minutes. Without him, the Cavs lose that secondary playmaker who prevents defenses from just swarming Spida.
The Long-Term Absences: Max Strus and Dean Wade
It’s easy to forget about Max Strus because he hasn’t even suited up yet this season. But his absence is huge. He had surgery back on August 26 for a Jones fracture in his left foot. We all hoped he’d be back by now, but the latest word is that he needs about another month of "healing time." Don't expect to see him until at least mid-February.
Then there's Dean Wade.
Wade is dealing with a left knee contusion. It sounds minor, like a bruise, but it’s kept him out of several games now. He’s been ruled out for the next couple of matchups, with his next re-evaluation likely around January 16. When he's missing, the Cavs lose a guy who can legitimately guard three or four positions and hit a corner three.
Who actually steps up now?
Kenny Atkinson is kinda forced to play the "next man up" card. We saw Jaylon Tyson get the start recently, and honestly, the kid has looked alright. He brings some length that Merrill doesn't have.
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You're also going to see more of Craig Porter Jr. and probably even Lonzo Ball, who has been slowly working his way back into a regular rotation role. It’s a weird roster right now. You’ve got the elite "Core Four" of Mitchell, Mobley, Allen, and (usually) Garland, but the connective tissue is currently in the training room.
Why this matters for the East standings
Cleveland is sitting around 21-17, hovering in that 6th seed territory. It's a crowded neighborhood. If they can't stay healthy, they're going to be fighting for their lives in the Play-In tournament instead of coasting to a top-four spot.
The biggest concern isn't just the wins and losses; it's the chemistry. Mitchell and Garland need minutes together to figure out how to maximize this offense. Every time one of them goes down, that clock resets.
Current Status at a Glance:
Out / Doubtful
Darius Garland (Foot) - Likely out Friday.
Sam Merrill (Hand) - Likely out Friday.
Max Strus (Foot) - Out until February.
Dean Wade (Knee) - Out until at least Jan 16.
Chris Livingston (Knee) - Out.
Healthy / Active
Donovan Mitchell - Scoring at an elite level.
Evan Mobley - Fully recovered from that December calf strain.
Jarrett Allen - Anchoring the paint.
Jaylon Tyson - Taking on an expanded role.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you are looking at the cleveland cavaliers injury report for fantasy or betting reasons, keep a very close eye on the Friday afternoon shootaround updates. If Garland and Merrill are both officially ruled out, expect Donovan Mitchell's usage rate to skyrocket. He’s likely to see a lot of 30+ point nights in the immediate future because he simply has to.
For those in deep fantasy leagues, Jaylon Tyson is a "must-add" right now. His minutes are guaranteed for at least the next week. Also, watch the rebounding numbers for Evan Mobley; with Dean Wade out, Mobley has to do more of the dirty work on the glass.
The Cavs have the talent to survive these short-term stumbles, but the margin for error in the Eastern Conference is basically zero. They need Garland back sooner rather than later to keep from sliding down the bracket.
Monitor the official NBA injury report two hours before tip-off on Friday. This is when the "Doubtful" tags usually shift to "Out," and you’ll see if any G-League players like Luke Travers get called up for emergency depth. If you're betting the over/under, keep in mind that without Garland's pace and Strus's spacing, the Cavs might play a slightly slower, more Mitchell-iso-heavy game.
Check the training staff's updates on Max Strus toward the end of January to see if he's cleared for "on-court activities," which is the final hurdle before a return to play.