In the early weeks of the 2025 offseason, news broke that Darius Garland's toe injury sustained during the playoffs would require surgery and months of recovery.
Garland's injury marked the third major setback in just as many years. Losing Garland in the playoffs showed drastic flaws in the Cavs' offense as ball movement stagnated. Without Garland in the lineup to start the year, Cleveland faced the same offensive challenges.
Against the New York Knicks on opening night, those flaws came to light again. While Lonzo Ball's introductory Cavs match gave life to the offense during his time on the floor, it did not replace Garland's fluidity and dynamic punch.