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Stephen A. Smith’s Nsfw Rant On Cavs’ Darius Garland For Missing Playoff Games
After the Cleveland Cavaliers clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, they did what any sensible NBA team would do and let their guys take some rest days to gear up for the playoffs.
The approach worked for a while but it has come back to bite Cleveland as of late.
All-Star point guard Darius Garland was having arguably the best season of his career when he suffered a toe injury in the Cavs’ first round matchup with the Miami Heat.
There was hope that the injury wasn’t too serious, but the former fifth overall pick has missed the last four games.
May 4, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, middle, watches from the bench during the first half against the Indiana Pacers in game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena© Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesCleveland unfortunately had to begin their semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers without Garland and it has cost them dearly.
They got thoroughly outplayed in the first game and on Tuesday night got their heart ripped out by Tyrese Haliburton who hit a game-winning step back three with one second left on the game clock.
Now, with the Cavs dropping both of their home games, their season is on the line and some people are furious with Garland for putting his team in this position.
Stephen A. Smith was discussing the Pacers’ historic comeback on “First Take” when he unleashed on the two-time All-Star.
Smith was rightfully furious when he exclaimed, “Limp yo a** out there no matter which way you gotta do it.”
Stephen A. Smith calls out Darius Garland
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 7, 2025
"You're on the brink of elimination. ... Limp yo ass out there no matter which way you got to do it."
(???? @FirstTake )
pic.twitter.com/lMTiPOSqBY
Nobody knows the extent of the injury, but if Garland is able to walk, then Smith is right, he needs to be on the court.
It’s hard to tell a professional athlete that they need to toughen up, but Cleveland is two games away from their magical season ending, so there’s no time to heal up.
They still have a real chance of winning the series, but they need Garland’s contributions to do it.
Related: Cavaliers Make Devastating Darius Garland Announcement Ahead of Pacers Matchup
