Darius Garland made his long-awaited debut with the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, marking a significant moment in his career. The former Cleveland guard, who was acquired as part of the trade that sent James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers, contributed 12 points, two rebounds, and two assists in 23 minutes during a victory over the Golden State Warriors. Garland had been sidelined since January 14 due to a toe injury, and his return was met with optimism from teammates and fans alike. Garland expressed his gratitude for the support he received during his recovery, stating, “Just getting adjusted—getting adjusted to L.A., getting to know the guys. Getting to know the staff, everybody around the organization, and just trying to get back to me. Getting healthy—training staff been with me a lot and doing a lot of work. So I really appreciate them, just getting me back to this point. Yeah, man, it’s good getting out there with the guys for sure. Especially getting a win, my first win with the Clips. It’s a blessing.” His comments highlighted both his personal progress and the team’s success in securing a win. Kawhi Leonard, a key figure in the Clippers’ roster, expressed confidence in Garland’s ability to contribute to the team’s dynamics. Leonard emphasized Garland’s competitive nature and his potential to elevate the team’s play. “Number one, just competitive nature,” Leonard said. “But every situation is different. So from Darius, we’re looking at him to get us involved, get him some shots. Pushing the pace in transition for us. And just getting everybody involved and calling sets so we’re not stagnant at times. So I think he’s able to do that. He’s an All-Star player. Just looking forward to playing more basketball with him. More minutes, as he ramps up to playing 30-plus minutes per game.#los_angeles_clippers #kawhi_leonard #darius_garland #tyronn_lue #raynaud
