Darius Garland Answers Call With Historic First Quarter, Cavs News

Darius Garland sets Cleveland Cavaliers Playoff history by scoring 17 points in the first quarter og Game 5 against the Orlando Magic.

Apr 30, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) reacts after a basket during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic in game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers needed someone to step up. Their offense has been lackluster at best so far in their series against the Orlando Magic.

Darius Garland has been the subject of criticism over the last couple of games, but he answered the call in the first quarter of Game 5.

DG finished the first 12 minutes of the game with 17 points. He shot an efficient 75% (6-for-8) from the field and knocked down all three of the three-pointers he attempted. This was the most points scored in a single quarter in his playoff career. His previous high was 15 points on April 18, 2023, against the New York Knicks, per @CavsNotes on X.

This performance could be just what the Cavs need to swing the momentum in the series and it was a historic performance at that. Garland’s 17 points in a single quarter is the fifth most by a Cavalier in playoff franchise history, per Bally Sports Cleveland.

Here is a list of the four highest-scoring quarters in Cleveland postseason history.

The 17 points in the first quarter for Darius Garland is the fifth-most in the first quarter in a playoff game in franchise history.

Only LeBron James has scored more in the first quarter in a playoff game for the Cavs. #LetEmKnow | #NBAPlayoffs | @cavs | @dariusgarland22 pic.twitter.com/vXTgsrgSWD

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 1, 2024

• LeBron James (2018) - 21 PTS
• LeBron James (2010) - 21 PTS
• LeBron James (2018) - 20 PTS
• LeBron Janes (2006) - 18 PTS

There’s nothing too surprising with this list.

Apr 30, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) reacts after a basket during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic in game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports | Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

This comes just days after DG’s teammates urged him to be more aggressive on offense. 

“They want me to shoot more,” said Garland when talking to Joe Vardon of The Athletic. “They think I’m not as aggressive right now.”

Darius clearly felt his teammates challenging him and answered the call in the first quarter of a crucial Game 5.