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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cavaliers fans have been closely tracking every update on Darius Garland’s recovery from toe surgery, with recent reports of the star guard participating in live reps during practice sparking speculation about a possible early return. But as Wine and Gold Talk podcast dissected the situation, the message became clear: don’t count on seeing Garland on the court anytime soon, regardless of the positive signs. When asked directly about the possibility of Garland playing in the season opener, cleveland.com Cavs beat reporter Chris Fedor was blunt despite his usual reluctance to make absolute statements: “I was told a long time ago when I first got into this business, you never say never, especially when it comes to the Cavs and especially when it comes to the NBA. But boy, I don’t think so.” The reasoning goes deeper than just recovery timelines. Fedor explained the nuanced difference between being medically cleared and being truly prepared for NBA action: “There is a difference between being healthy enough to play and being fit enough to play in an NBA game, especially when you’re talking about opening night. And the one thing that we do know about the Cavs and how they handle injuries, they take a cautious approach. They usually extend a timeline as opposed to shorten a timeline.” This careful approach reflects the Cavaliers’ big-picture mentality heading into a season where they’re widely considered championship contenders. The team understands that their ultimate success will be determined by their playoff performance, not their October record. More Cavs coverage The Cavs’ starting lineup decision will reveal organizational priorities Cavs’ early injury woes: Blessing in disguise or warning sign for Cleveland’s title hopes? Cavs season opener breakdown: Injury updates, lineup debates, and bold predictions: Wine and Gold Talk podcast Cleveland.com columnist Jimmy Watkins put it plainly: “What is the incentive to rush it? I see none. We’ve established in the lead up to the season here, the Cavs can learn a bunch of things about other players on their team by seeing how they interact with each other. Without Darius, they can learn things. This absence can be a blessing in disguise for them.” This perspective is particularly relevant considering Garland’s style of play. His game relies heavily on quickness, change-of-direction, and explosive movements — all elements that could be compromised if he returns before achieving full game conditioning. For a player coming off toe surgery who missed training camp and the entire preseason, the buildup process is necessarily longer than for someone who simply missed a few weeks mid-season. There’s also strategic value in Garland’s absence. With Max Strus also sidelined to start the season, the Cavs will use these early games as developmental opportunities for other players. Meanwhile, Garland has already begun contributing as a leader despite his inability to play, working after practice with rookie Jaylon Tyson on positioning and passing. As Fedor emphasized, “When it comes to Darius and his health, everything that they’re thinking and everything that they’re doing is about the long term, not the short term. And that’s the way that it should be.” For Cavs fans eager to see their full roster in action, patience will be key—a virtue the organization itself is modeling in its handling of Garland’s return. Here’s the podcast for this week:
