Los Angeles Clippers coach Ty Lue expressed excitement about having Darius Garland and implementing a new offensive system with the two-time All-Star at point guard. The question, however, is when he will be able to roll it out.
Garland, whom the Clippers acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a blockbuster trade that sent James Harden the other way, hasn’t played a game since Jan. 14. The guard is dealing with a toe injury and has spent the past month recovering.
Clippers president Lawrence Frank said Garland has “basically recovered” from the right toe sprain he suffered last month, but that wasn’t the end of his update. The new Clippers player may still spend more time on the sidelines.
Garland is also dealing with soreness in his left toe, which previously underwent surgery. Frank emphasized that the team will be cautious with him.
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“We’re going to manage this correctly. We’re not going to skip any steps,” Frank said, as quoted by Clutch Points reporter Tomer Azarly.
The Clippers official did not provide a clear timeline for Garland’s debut, and some fans took the update as a sign that it will not happen anytime soon.
“Well, if you truly manage it correctly, he’s not playing the rest of the season,” one X user wrote.
“Will he be available before the end of the season? This Garland news sucks, man! We gave away Harden and don’t even have Garland. Way to not compete when Kawhi is having an MVP season,” another disappointed fan replied.