This Day In Cavs History: Darius Garland’s NBA Debut

Four years ago, a 19-year-old Darius Garland made his NBA debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic on the road.

Whether they’ve been good or bad, there have been many significant events in the 53-year existence of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Throughout the 2023-24 NBA season, Spencer Davies will turn back the clock to milestone moments and important dates in the franchise's past with “This Day In Cavs History.” 

Four years ago, a 19-year-old Darius Garland made his NBA debut for the Cavs against the Orlando Magic on the road. There was a lot of intrigue coming into this game around the 2019 fifth overall draft pick as a rookie, as he’d only suited up for four games in college with the Vanderbilt Commodores. He’d also be playing alongside second-year guard Collin Sexton.

In 31 minutes of action, Garland registered eight points, five assists, two rebounds and a steal. He also committed three turnovers. The Cavs lost their season opener in Orlando that year by a final score of 94-85.

Garland showcased flashes of what we now know about his long range and his shifty handle. He scored the first points of his career on a dribble handoff from Kevin Love on the right wing via a 29-foot three. He would knock down another triple later in the game with a nasty stepback that froze Al-Farouq Aminu.

Playing with Tristan Thompson in his first Cleveland stint, Garland snaked a screen and found the big man for an alley oop. In a similar set, the rookie maestro pinned Evan Fournier to his back, worked inside and finished a beautiful floater over the top of Nikola Vucevic.

Got his own and shared the rock 👊

Just the beginning for the @cavs fifth overall pick. #BeTheFight | @dariusgarland22 pic.twitter.com/xnkWZ6AEbj

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) October 24, 2019

In his first season as a pro, Garland averaged 12.3 points, 3.9 assists and 1.9 rebounds per contest on .401/.355/.855 shooting splits across 59 total games.

Of course, as we know, Garland would become an All-Star with the Cavs just a few years later and earn a rookie maximum contract extension in the process as the team’s lead floor general.