Darius Garland Returns to Lead Cavaliers Past 76ers in Season Debut

CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers looked like themselves again on Wednesday night, thanks to the return of Darius Garland. The All-Star point guard, who had missed the team’s first seven games recovering from offseason surgery on his left big toe, made his long-awaited season debut in Cleveland’s 132–121 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Starting at point guard, Garland played 26 minutes, contributing eight points and four assists while orchestrating the team’s best offensive showing of the year. For him, the night was about more than statistics — it was about returning to the rhythm and chemistry that had defined the Cavaliers’ rise in the Eastern Conference.

“Seeing the ball go through the hoop, passing the ball to 45 [Donovan Mitchell], Ev [Evan Mobley] and JA [Jarrett Allen] — that’s what I missed,” Garland said after the game. “It was great to be back with my teammates. Being around them makes me happy.”

Garland’s comeback immediately changed the tone for a Cleveland squad that had been searching for consistency. The Cavaliers had struggled to generate offense without their floor general, ranking among the league’s lowest in offensive efficiency entering the night. His return brought clarity and calm to a lineup that had looked disjointed through the early stretch of the season.

1. Restoring the Cavaliers’ Offensive Flow

Without Garland, Cleveland’s offense often looked stagnant. Head coach Kenny Atkinson admitted that the team’s rhythm had been “clunky” through the opening weeks, as other players were forced into unfamiliar roles. Mitchell had been handling more point guard duties, while Mobley was tasked with creating offense on his own — neither arrangement proving ideal. That changed quickly on Wednesday. With Garland running the floor, the Cavaliers opened the game on a blistering 30–13 run and never looked back. Their 132 points marked a season-high, and the team looked much closer to the efficient, balanced unit that led the league in offensive rating last season. “You have a guy that can initiate, get easy shots and make everyone’s job easier,” said Mitchell, who poured in a season-high 46 points. “When you have an All-Star out there who can create, it puts everyone at ease. It changes everything.” Atkinson agreed, noting that Garland’s presence allowed each player to return to his natural role. “Those first seven minutes — that was Cavs basketball,” the coach said. “It wasn’t perfect, but Darius got us in our comfort zone. Everybody knew what they were supposed to do, and we looked like ourselves again.”

2. Finding Rhythm Against a Tough Opponent

The Cavaliers’ early surge set the tone for the night, with Garland knocking down his first three-pointer just over a minute into the game. Although he showed signs of fatigue after the long layoff — finishing 3-of-11 from the field and 2-of-7 from beyond the arc — his command of the offense was evident. Cleveland’s 41-point first quarter was its best of the season. Philadelphia made its push in the third quarter, tying the game at 72, but Cleveland’s poise held. The Cavaliers responded with multiple scoring bursts and reestablished control, entering the fourth quarter up by 20 points. Garland’s decision-making in key moments helped the team steady itself each time momentum swung. “I was definitely tired out there,” Garland admitted. “I’m trying to get my wind back, but once that first three fell, it felt good. I just wanted to get everyone involved and let the game come to me.” The Cavaliers’ performance — especially their perimeter shooting and ball movement — reflected the balance that Garland brings. Even after limited minutes, it was clear the team had regained the spark that made it a top contender a season ago.

3. Looking Ahead With Renewed Energy

For Garland, the return was both a personal milestone and a signal that Cleveland’s early-season struggles may soon fade. His chemistry with Mitchell, Mobley, and Allen forms the backbone of the Cavaliers’ identity, and Wednesday’s performance hinted at the return of that familiar flow. Atkinson said the team will continue to monitor Garland’s workload in the coming games but expressed optimism about how quickly the guard has reintegrated. “He’s the engine,” Atkinson said. “Once he’s fully up to speed, we’ll be right where we need to be.” Garland’s absence had underscored just how vital his playmaking and composure are to the Cavaliers’ success. His ability to manage tempo, space the floor, and set up his teammates adds structure to a team built on versatility and movement. If Wednesday’s game was any indication, Garland’s return may be exactly what Cleveland needed to reassert itself among the East’s elite. The team’s offense clicked, confidence surged, and the energy at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse reflected a collective sigh of relief.