Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland will miss the start of the season because of offseason foot surgery. 

However, according to Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson, Garland is making really good progress in his recovery. 

"Really good," Atkinson said on Monday. "He did most of practice today and we were live, so we'll see how he responds tomorrow. I don't know what that means big picture-wise, but good sign for us."

Garland had surgery in the offseason to repair the left big toe injury that troubled him during the 2025 playoffs.

"I'd have to check with [Cavs head trainer] Steve [Spiro] and see what they think, but I'm a little surprised he's at this point," Atkinson said. "I know me and him are constantly fighting, like, let's make sure this build-up is correct. Let's make sure we're progressing because I want DG healthy long term for the season, for the playoffs. Really kind of having conversations with him, making sure the build up is right. We're erring on the side of long-term thinking."

A two-time All-Star, Garland played in 75 games for Cleveland last season. He averaged 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.1 blocks while shooting 47.2% from the field, 40.1% from beyond the arc and 87.8% from the free-throw line. 

The Cavaliers were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last season. They swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round in five games. 

Garland played in five games in the 2025 playoffs. He averaged 18.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 0.4 steals while shooting 42.0% from the floor, 28.6% from 3 and 91.7% from the foul line. 

The Cavaliers drafted Garland with the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The 25-year-old has career averages of 18.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.1 blocks in the NBA. 

It's unknown when Garland will make his season debut for the Cavaliers, who acquired Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls in the offseason. 

"Is he getting close to hitting those [markers] in practice? That's not always easy to replicate in a team scrimmage or a workout," Atkinson said. "We try to create environments where they're hitting these markers and then, obviously, there's the examination. We got on the table, they're looking at mobility, all that stuff. And then, we have our testing in our performance lab… We've got to do the best thing for the player and for the team."