Particularly reduced this month, the Riders have fallen into line since All-Star Weekend (seven wins and ten losses) and even more so over the past two weeks (five losses in seven games). This coincides with injuries to several of their key players (Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Max Strus and Dean Wade) as well as difficulties in the game of Darius Garland.
Irregular, the leader is on a roller coaster in scoring. Over his last four games (three defeats), he only averaged 16.0 points, without ever exceeding 40% skill (36% shooting, including 21% 3-point average), while “ Spida » Mitchell joined the infirmary again.
“ We ask him to carry a heavy burden » recognized his coach, JB Bickerstaff, coming off a defeat at Wolves. “ We need him to be attack-oriented, to take shots, to create for everyone, to be aggressive and to be himself. It's a heavy burden on his shoulders. »
A status to assume, while waiting for better days
Lacking skill these last four matches, Darius Garland is now attracting all the attention of his opponents, aware that the salvation of Cavs will go through him first. Especially since he cannot hide, with his status as All-Star (2022) and the highest paid player on the squad ($34 million)…
“ He just has to keep fighting » advises him Caris LeVert, who does his best to support him (around 19 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals on average for four games). “ We are all being asked to do a little more right now. We know it. It's basketball. You have to try to improve and learn through it. We know this will not be the norm for the rest of the season. »
Implying that those currently absent will eventually return in the coming days, or even the coming weeks. Which can only benefit Cleveland. And therefore to Darius Garland, the main custodian of the Cavaliers' game and who must both score and create for his teammates.
“ We can't ask one person to fill the void left by all the guys we can't have » underlines JB Bickerstaff in any case. “ Everyone just has to give a little more. It's up to everyone to do it at this point.. »
| Darius Garland | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | KEY | 59 | 31 | 40.1 | 35.5 | 87.5 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 0.1 | 12.3 |
| 2020-21 | KEY | 54 | 33 | 45.1 | 39.5 | 84.8 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 6.1 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.1 | 17.4 |
| 2021-22 | KEY | 68 | 36 | 46.2 | 38.3 | 89.2 | 0.6 | 2.7 | 3.3 | 8.6 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 3.7 | 0.1 | 21.7 |
| 2022-23 | KEY | 69 | 36 | 46.2 | 41.0 | 86.3 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 7.8 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.1 | 21.6 |
| 2023-24 | KEY | 45 | 33 | 45.2 | 37.8 | 83.2 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 6.4 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.1 | 18.7 |
| Total | 295 | 34 | 44.9 | 38.6 | 86.4 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 6.7 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.1 | 18.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
