Context:

The Cleveland Cavaliers are competing against the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs, following a successful regular season where they finished first in the Eastern Conference with a 64-18 record. Darius Garland, who has emerged as a crucial player alongside Donovan Mitchell, is dealing with a toe injury that has kept him out of three consecutive games and is listed as questionable for Game 2. Despite hopes for his return, Garland has been ruled out for the game, alongside teammates Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter, due to injuries. Garland has been a significant contributor, averaging 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game in the 2024-2025 season, making his absence notable. Game 2 will be broadcasted on TNT and truTV and can be streamed on Max and Sling, with the tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Dive Deeper:

• The Cleveland Cavaliers had a strong regular season, finishing with a 64-18 record and securing the top spot in the Eastern Conference, with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland leading the team's performance.

• Darius Garland, a key player for the Cavaliers, has been instrumental as a scoring option and facilitator, averaging 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game during the 2024-2025 season, enhancing the team's depth.

• Garland is suffering from a toe injury that has caused him to miss three successive games, and although there was optimism for his return in Game 2, he has been officially ruled out.

• Alongside Garland, Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter are also out due to injuries, which may impact the Cavaliers' performance against the Pacers in the NBA playoffs.

• The playoff game between the Cavaliers and Pacers will be televised on TNT and truTV, with live streaming available on Max and Sling, providing multiple viewing options for fans.

• Tip-off for the game is set at 7 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, marking the first of two playoff games scheduled for the night.

• Teddy Ricketson, a Digital Content Producer at The Sporting News, highlights the significance of Garland's absence and the potential impact on the Cavaliers' playoff outcomes.

• The Cavaliers are taking on the Pacers in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. Cleveland finished the season with a 64-18 record and in first place in the Eastern Conference.

• The Cavs were led by star guard Donovan Mitchell, but it has been the development of guard Darius Garland that provided the team with much-needed depth. He averaged the second-most points per game on the team, and led the team with 6.7 assists. Garland became a reliable scoring option behind Mitchell, but remained Cleveland's best facilitator. 

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• The guard is dealing with a toe injury that could sideline him for a fourth consecutive game. The good news is that among the Cavaliers' injuries for Game 2, Garland seems the most likely to play. 

• Here are the latest updates on whether or not Garland is playing in Game 2 vs. the Pacers. 

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• Is Darius Garland playing tonight vs. Pacers?

  Garland is listed as questionable for Tuesday night's game. His sprained toe has forced him to miss three consecutive games. While teammates Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter are both considered questionable and doubtful to play, there is hope that Garland will be able to make his return. 

• 5:52 p.m. ET -- We are still waiting on Garland's official status, but it has been noted that he is not warming up when he usually does ahead of games. 

• #Cavs guard Darius Garland is not on the floor during his usual warmup time.

• — Danny Cunningham (@RealDCunningham) May 6, 2025 6:35 p.m. ET --  Garland has been ruled out for Tuesday night's game against the Pacers. He won't be alone. Cleveland is also going to be down Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter. 

• Cleveland Cavaliers Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and De'Andre Hunter are all out tonight in Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers due to injuries.

• — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 6, 2025

  Darius Garland 2024-2025 season stats

  Here are Garland's per-game stats for the 2024-2025 season. 

• • 75 games
  • 30.7 minutes
  • 20.6 points
  • 2.9 rebounds
  • 6.7 assists
  • 1.2 steals
  • 47.2% FG%
  • 40.1% 3FG%
  • 87.8% FT%
  MORE: Expert picks, predictions for Cavaliers vs. Pacers second-round playoff series

• What channel is Cavaliers vs. Pacers on today?

  • TV channel: TNT, truTv
  • Live stream: Max, Sling
  The second game between the Cavaliers and the Pacers will be aired on TNT and truTV. It can be live-streamed on Max, but will also be available on Sling. The latter has TNT in its channel lineup, so you can subscribe to Sling and get this playoff game, as well as the rest of the platform's channel offerings. 

• Cavaliers vs. Pacers start time

  • Date: Tuesday, May 6
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET
  Game 2 between the Cavaliers and Pacers is the first of two playoff games scheduled for Tuesday. Cleveland and Indiana will duke it out in the first game of the night with a 7 p.m. ET tip-off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.