Cavs’ Darius Garland Records First Double-Double Of Season In Loss
In their first game after the NBA All-Star Break, the Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Orlando Magic by a score of 116-109 on Thursday night.
This is Cleveland’s second loss in their last three games, marking the first time the team has lost two of three games since December 29 through January 3.
Despite not coming away with the victory, Cleveland did have a player turn in one of his most productive games of the season.
Point guard Darius Garland tied a team-high with 18 points, dished out a season-high 10 assists, and tied a team-high with two steals. With this stat line, the 2022 All-Star recorded his first double-double of the season.
Garland shot 6-for-12 (50%) from the field, and 3-for-5 (60%) from both three-point range and the free throw line. His three triples were also a team-high, and his 60% mark from deep tied his season-high.
Feb 22, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) lays up a shot beside Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) in the third quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
© David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
After the game, Cavaliers Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff commented on his starting point guard’s performance.
“I thought he was good. I thought he built as the game kind of went on. He got more aggressive, more comfortable, was putting pressure on the defense. Quarter by quarter, he got better.”
Garland’s performance indeed improved as the game progressed. He had just three points, one rebound, and two assists in the first half. But in the game’s final 24 minutes, the 24-year-old tallied game-highs of 15 points, eight assists, and two steals, while also grabbing another rebound.
The Wine and Gold will begin a two-game road trip tomorrow night, when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m.
