Garland exits Cavaliers’ opener with eye injury

TORONTO — Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard Darius Garland suffered a left eye injury late in the second quarter of Wednesday night’s season-opening 108-105 loss to[ the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena and did not return.

Garland was inadvertently hit in the face by Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. and fell to the ground in front of Toronto’s bench. He then stayed on the ground for several minutes, before eventually being helped to his feet and then slowly walking back to Cleveland’s locker room under his own power.

When the third quarter began, Garland wasn’t on the court. Forward Cedi Osman replaced him in Cleveland’s starting lineup, and the Cavaliers ruled him out a few moments later.

Garland had four points and three assists in 13 minutes in the first half before the injury. Wednesday marked his first regular-season game alongside All-Star Donovan Mitchell, who was acquired by Cleveland in the offseason.

Earlier this summer, Garland agreed to a five-year max contract extension with the Cavaliers after a breakout 2021-22 campaign that saw him lead Cleveland to a winning record for the first time since LeBron James left in free agency in 2018. Garland, the fifth pick in the 2019 NBA draft, made the All-Star team for the first time.