One of the biggest moves of the trade deadline this season came when James Harden’s tenure came to an end with the Los Angeles Clippers. However, what made it even more shocking was his new destination. After winning 64 games last year, a slow start to the 2025-26 campaign caused the Cleveland Cavaliers to make a panic move.
As a result, they parted ways with their former lottery pick, Darius Garland. Dealing with an injury since mid-January, he has yet to make his season debut for his new squad. However, according to the latest reports, his first game as a member of the Clippers is right around the corner.
When Will Darius Garland Return for the Clippers?
The fifth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Garland came into his own as an excellent playmaker and long-range threat. His two-man game alongside Donovan Mitchell allowed the Cavaliers to emerge as a perennial playoff threat in the Eastern Conference.
However, injuries have derailed him over the last few seasons, even as he’s racked up two All-Star game appearances. This year, as Cleveland got off to an extremely slow start, Garland took a long time recovering from an offseason surgery on his injured left toe.
Another toe sprain, this time on his right foot, derailed him once again, and the Cavaliers traded him alongside a second-round pick to give Mitchell some scoring help and a legitimate playmaker in Harden.
Nearly a month after the trade, Garland still remains on the bench, as the rehabilitation process continues to be a slow one. However, the latest out of LA’s camp seems to give some optimism on his return to the court.
According to Chris Haynes of ESPN, fans in Los Angeles don’t have to wait much longer for his debut. “Sources: All-Star guard Darius Garland (toe) — who hasn’t played since Jan. 14 — plans to make his season debut for the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday when they play the Golden State Warriors.”
Career averages of 18.8 points and 6.7 assists speak to his all-around ability, with a 3-point shooting percentage of 38.6. However, he has averaged as much as 21.7 points and 8.6 assists when he’s had free rein of the offense.
Add in two seasons shooting above 40% from distance, and the upside is clear for a fast-paced point guard who can wreak havoc in transition. This season, he’s played in just 26 games, and with just 23 games remaining on the schedule once he returns, it seems unlikely that he will cross the 50-game mark.
