Darius Garland’s Status Remains Up in Air for Cavs-Pacers Game 1

We still don’t have an answer when it comes to the most important big toe in Northeast Ohio.

It belongs to Cavaliers All-Star point guard Darius Garland, and while it seems to be progressing, it remains a nagging injury — with Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers set for Sunday at Rocket Arena (6 p.m. EST, TNT).

On the bright side, Garland went through a full practice on Friday, coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. But Garland had a scheduled day off from practice on Saturday. His status for Game 1 remains undetermined.

“Day to day right now,” Atkinson said of Garland on Friday. “Toe’s a tough one. There’s pain and all that. But the good thing when we watch him shooting right now, he’s moving well.”

Atkinson is right. The toe is a toughie because in all sports, you use your feet for everything. That’s especially the case in the NBA, and for Garland, who seemingly gets to wherever he wants on the court. With a bum left toe, well, that becomes considerably more challenging.

“I’m not going to make a judgment either way,” Atkinson said Friday. “But sure, there’s some concern there. I could see it go either way. I think it’s something he’s going to have to deal with probably the rest of the playoffs.”

If Garland is out, the Cavs could go in any number of directions. Atkinson hasn’t revealed that yet. It could be Sam Merrill, who filled in for Garland for Games 3 and 4 of the first round in Miami. It could be De’Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome, Dean Wade or Isaac Okoro, too.

All we know is the high-octane Pacers present a whole new set of challenges. If Garland doesn’t play, Atkinson will certainly base everything on matchups.

“We’ve talked about it,” Atkinson said. “Haven’t made a decision yet.”

That decision, in fact, likely won’t be announced until shortly before tipoff.