On Wednesday’s ‘First Take,’ Stephen A Smith challenged Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland to play through his toe injury.
The Cavs find themselves down 2-0 to the lower-seeded Pacers.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were on the verge of tying their second-round series with the Indiana Pacers at 1-1 Tuesday night. However, the Pacers had other plans as they surged back to stun the Cavaliers for a 120-119 win on an answered Tyrese Haliburton prayer.
With the win, the Pacers have a 2-0 series lead after two wins on Cleveland’s home court.
Darius Garland has now missed four straight games with a sprained toe during the postseason, but ESPN’s Stephen A Smith doesn’t care how much pain he’s in.
Garland had 21 points and nine assists in 32 minutes in the second game of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ first-round sweep of the Miami Heat, but aggravated his sprained left big toe and hasn’t played in a game since.
With the Cavaliers down 0-2 to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Smith called out the Cleveland point guard on First Take.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
“Darius Garland, listen. A toe injury is significant. Can be very painful. I understand that,” Smith said.
“You’ve gotta be damn near crippled if you can’t play. You’ve gotta find a way to get out there,” – Stephen A. Smith SOUNDS off on Darius Garland and the Cavs 😳😳😳pic.twitter.com/xNDU7v9KfP
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 7, 2025
He then took it to another level by stating, “You’ve gotta be damn near crippled if you can’t play. You’ve gotta find a way to get out there,” Smith added.
Because last night, Nemphardt and Haliburton combined for 45 points, like 19 assists and one turnover. They’re getting guard play in Indiana. Donovan Mitchell needs help. Period. Because whether it’s Ty Jerome, whether it’s Struss or somebody else, I mean, listen, they’re not point guards. Okay? He needs some help in that backcourt. You’ve missed four straight games Darius Garland. I mean damn. You’ve got all offseason to heal. Somehow, someway. I mean, you’re on the brink of elimination. I mean, you gotta get out there. You gotta find a way. Limp yo’ a– out there no matter which way you’ve got to do it. I don’t give a damn. Alright? Find a way. Pad the toe, wear an extra size shoe. Do somethin’, but you’ve got to get out there! You gotta get out there.”
Social Media Was Not Happy With Stephen A Smith Demanding Darius Garland To Play Through Injury
“He’s clearly never had turf toe or broken toe, etc,” one fan said.
He’s clearly never had turf toe or broken toe etc.
— JP BrownsFan (@BrownsLifeLong) May 7, 2025
“First off, @stephenasmith, you do NOT know the severity of DG’s injury because you are NOT a medical professional. I understand your point, but you do not know all the facts. You do NOT know how bad they want to be out there. So you should NOT be saying this just for views,” a second fan stated.
First off @stephenasmith you do NOT know the severity of DGs injury because you are NOT a medical professional.
— Perc | Percussive173 🔜 Dreamhack Dallas (@Percussive173_) May 7, 2025
I understand your point, but you do not know all the facts. You do NOT know how bad they want to be out there. So you should NOT be saying this just for views.
“Unreal. It’s like you people are living inside Garland’s body and completely aware of what he can, and cannot, do. Grow up. Egos are real in sports, and you’re an idiot if you think he’d rather ride the bench in the playoffs than be on the court,” a third fan said to Stephen A Smith.
Unreal.
— The Land (@Jefster6579) May 7, 2025
It’s like you people are living inside Garland’s body and completely aware of what he can, and cannot, do.
Grow up. Egos are real in sports, and you’re an idiot if you think he’d rather ride the bench in the playoffs than be on the court.
“Gotta love a guy that never played a minute of professional sports talking about the toughness of a professional athlete in regards to an injury,” one final fan wrote.
Gotta love a guy that never played a minute of professional sports talking about the toughness of a professional athlete in regards to an injury.
— NotreDamin (@NotreDamin) May 7, 2025
