NBA injury update: When is Darius Garland returning? Star player nears long-awaited Los Angeles Clippers debut after encouraging progress

The long-awaited debut of Darius Garland for the Los Angeles Clippers is drawing near. On Tuesday, the two-time All-Star took part in his first complete 5-on-5 scrimmage, indicating significant progress toward a potential comeback against the New Orleans Pelicans as early as March 1.

Following his acquisition at the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Clippers’ fan base has been eagerly awaiting Garland’s debut. The Clippers want Garland to recover completely from his left toe injury before allowing him to make a comeback. The Clippers are dealing with lingering pain from offseason left foot surgery, even though they concluded he had recovered from that injury.

After participating in his first 5-on-5 scrimmage on Tuesday, Garland’s debut is drawing near, according to Janis Carr of The Orange County Register.

Before the team’s medical staff makes a decision about his eligibility for the Clippers’ March 1 game against the New Orleans Pelicans, he is anticipated to take part in one more scrimmage.

According to their injury report, Garland is officially out of the Clippers’ lineup for Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Due to foot and toe problems that have plagued the two-time All-Star guard since last season, the team has been extremely cautious with him.

The Cleveland Cavaliers made a surprising trade to acquire Garland in exchange for James Harden. It signaled the Cavs going all in, but it also meant that the Clippers are embracing a potential rebuild. Even more unexpectedly, they dealt Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers.

Garland might be the ideal addition of new talent to keep Los Angeles competitive in the West, as the Clippers are currently 27-30 and struggling to qualify for the Play-In round. Garland will participate in another scrimmage before the medical staff makes a final decision, according to Janis Carr of The Orange County Register.

Although the Clippers have already ruled him out of Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, there has been a noticeable change in the atmosphere around his recuperation.

No one in the Clippers organization is more excited than head coach Tyronn Lue about Garland’s return to the court. Lue seemed hopeful that Garland’s performance thus far will result in a successful recuperation after witnessing Garland in action up close.

Darius Garland’s improvement in his recuperation from a toe injury pleased Lue. Lue did, however, stress the significance of waiting for Garland to reach full health before allowing him to make his debut.

Lue said:

“He’s looked great.. He looked really good. Moving, going both ways, had a great pace. Of course, the shot-making is great, but as far as movement, he looked really good.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers were Darius Garland’s team for the first six and a half years of his career. He was a key component of the team’s comeback, which included a 64-win campaign the previous year. Therefore, his move to the Los Angeles Clippers was somewhat unexpected.

When Garland heard about the transfer, he admitted to being a little dubious, according to Marc J. Spears of Andscape. But after moving to Los Angeles, he had second thoughts, and his new squad welcomed him.

Garland said:

“I’m super excited about L.A. life… The first day, I literally called my mom and said, ‘This is the first time I’ve seen sun in February.’ Waking up to the sun instantly changed my whole mood. I woke up earlier, getting a little bit of sunlight before I headed out to practice, just enjoying the scenery, riding around a little bit.”

Garland has already been in Los Angeles for the last two offseasons, so he knows the area well. He is eager to entertain Clippers supporters and perhaps assist them in qualifying for the NBA Play-In Tournament.