For Kenny Atkinsonit was the “trap match” par excellence. Because after the big victory against the Thunder the day before, the Cavaliers hosted the weak Raptors back-to-back, and it felt like decompression…
And without Donovan Mitchell, that was the case as Cleveland chased the score throughout the game.
But Darius Garland kept a close watch, signing his season scoring record with 40 points at 14/22 shooting, including 4/7 from distance, plus 9 assists, notably scoring 14 points in the last quarter.
“He carried us. This was the first game of the season where I felt like one guy was carrying us. We weren't good and he took control of the game all by himself.” explained his coach. “If he’s not an All-Star, I don’t know what an All-Star looks like. I don't have his money-time stats but they are definitely among the best. He still made some big moves at the end, in shooting, in defense…”
The stats in Darius Garland's clutch are indeed among the best in the league this season. He is thus 8th in terms of points scored (53) in money-time (less than five points difference in the last five minutes) but no one does better in terms of efficiency: 66% shooting success (19/29)!
It’s indeed difficult to be more All-Star than that…
| 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 | 3.6 | 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 | 57 | 33 | 44.6 | 37.1 | 83.4 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 6.5 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.1 | 18.0 |
| 2024-25 | KEY | 34 | 30 | 49.5 | 43.1 | 91.5 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 6.6 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 20.5 |
| Total | 341 | 34 | 45.3 | 38.9 | 86.9 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 6.7 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 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.
