'We've seen it done before' — Darius Garland drops motivational statement before Game 5 vs Indiana Pacers
With the
Cleveland Cavaliers
on the edge of
Eastern Conference Semifinals
, their point guard
Darius Garland
is trying to rally his team by preaching resilience. Down 3-1 playing against
Indiana Pacers
, Garland takes cue from Cavaliers' historic 2016 comeback.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
With the team getting ready for
Game 5
at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, nothing is more important than the leadership and the belief of a turnaround of Garland. With
Donovan Mitchell
's status being up in the air due to an ankle, Garland's position only becomes that much more vital in this must-win situation.
Darius Garland channels 2016 Cavaliers spirit ahead of Game 5 showdown
In the face of adversity, Darius Garland is invoking the Cleveland Cavaliers' storied past to inspire a present-day comeback.
"This franchise has done it before," Garland stated, referencing the team's legendary 2016 Finals rally against the Golden State Warriors. "We've seen it done before. This group is always competing at a high level. It doesn't matter what circumstance it is. So, go out there with a chip on our shoulder and a lot of desperation. That's what we have to do. We've got to keep that in our mind and see where that goes."
Darius Garland says Cleveland has comeback before 👀
Garland's confidence is backed by his performance.
Despite a toe injury, he has returned to contribute significantly, scoring 21 points and providing six assists in Game 4. Throughout the 2024-25 regular season, Garland averaged 20.6 points, 6.7 assists, and shot 47.2% from the field, including 40.1% from beyond the arc.
The Cavaliers' challenge is compounded by Donovan Mitchell's uncertain status. Mitchell aggravated a left ankle injury in Game 4 and is listed as questionable for Game 5.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
He participated in the team's shootaround on Tuesday morning, and his status will be a game-time decision.
Game 5 is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. The Cavaliers, who finished the regular season with a 64-18 record, are looking to avoid elimination and force a Game 6 back in Indiana.
Also Read:
At this crucial turning point in their playoff campaign, the support provided by the Darius Garland's leadership, and faith in himself and the team to prevail over a crisis, are key to the Cleveland Cavaliers' hopes.
With the possible absence of Donovan Mitchell, Garland's game and motivational presence can be the spark that the Cavaliers need to extend the series and keep their championship dream a dream.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Steelers star linebacker TJ Watt skips the start of mandatory minicamp
PITTSBURGH — Aaron Rodgers might be ready to take the practice field for the Pittsburgh Steelers. T.J. Watt is not. The star outside linebacker skipped the start of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. Watt likely is eyeing a new deal as he enters the final year of his current contract. The seven-time Pro Bowler and 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year signed a four-year extension in September 2021 that was scheduled to pay him $112 million and made him the highest-paid defender in the league at the time. That number has been eclipsed several times over the last four years, including by Cleveland star Myles Garrett, who signed a deal in March that made him the most well-compensated non-quarterback in the league at $40 million a season. The decision to skip minicamp is a change from Watt's approach in 2021, when he did a 'hold in' during both minicamp and training camp before agreeing to a contract on the eve of the regular season. 'We expect him back at some point,' defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said Tuesday. 'We don't get caught up ... He's going to be in good shape .' Watt tied an NFL record by registering 22 1/2 sacks after signing the extension in 2021. He led the league in sacks again in 2023, though that number dipped to 11 1/2 last season, Watt's fewest in a year in which he didn't miss extended time because of injury since he was a rookie in 2017. Austin believes Watt's absence will provide opportunities for younger players like third-year outside linebacker Nick Herbig and rookie Jack Sawyer. Maybe, but neither has Watt's game-changing resume. Watt, who turns 31 in October, is the linchpin of a defense that has helped keep the Steelers in contention despite heavy churn at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement in January 2022. Rodgers will get his shot after agreeing to a one-year deal last week. The four-time NFL MVP was at the team facility on Tuesday and is expected to be on the field when afternoon practice begins. /hub/nfl
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
NBA Finals Game 3: Key prediction on OKC vs Indiana Pacers - Who wins and where will the series go?
The 2025 NBA Finals are underway, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are getting ready to host the Indiana Pacers for Game 2. Indiana is up 1-0 in the series. But Indiana didn't give up. They fought back, and with just 0.3 seconds left, Tyrese Haliburton hit a clutch shot to win the game, 111-110. Now Game 2 will be in Oklahoma City at the Paycom Center. The Thunder really need a win before the series shifts to Indiana. Sometimes teams shine in the regular season but can't keep it up in the playoffs. That's not the case for Oklahoma City. They've been strong all year and have made it to the Finals. Now, they're going for the title. In the playoffs, they swept Memphis 4-0 and beat Minnesota 4-1. Their toughest matchup was against Denver, which they won 4-3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the MVP this season. Winning the championship would be the perfect ending. Also Read: Aaron Wiggins 'saved basketball': OKC star's Game 2 show steals SGA's thunder in NBA Finals The Pacers are closer than ever to their first NBA title. No one expected them to get this far, but they earned their spot. They beat Milwaukee 4-1 in the first round, which was expected. But then they shocked everyone by beating the top-seeded Cleveland team, also 4-1. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they took down the New York Knicks 4-2. Tyrese Haliburton has been huge for the team, especially in the clutch. He's averaging 18 points and almost 10 assists per game in the playoffs. Oklahoma has won 8 playoff games at home this year. Indiana has won 7 out of 9 road playoff games. Odds: Thunder win – 1.18, Pacers win – 5.0. Only one game has been played in this series so far, but it was wild. Haliburton made the game-winner at the buzzer to give Indiana a 111-110 win. Pacers lead the series 1-0, but this fight is far from over. Game prediction The Thunder are favorites heading into Game 2, just like they were in Game 1. They can't afford to lose both home games to start the Finals. Expect Oklahoma City to bounce back. A bet on them to win by at least 10 points (-9.5 spread) looks like a solid choice.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals 2025: Complete schedule, live streaming, game times & MVP race with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Haliburton
Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals 2025: The 2025 NBA Finals feature an unexpected but compelling matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. These two teams are vying for their first NBA championship in their current cities. The Thunder is led by MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will face off against Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers. These other teams have shown resilience and offensive prowess throughout the playoffs. Below is the complete schedule, which includes dates, times, and streaming options, as well as the latest odds. NBA Finals 2025 Schedule and Game Times The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1 after the first two games, with the Pacers stealing Game 1 on a last-second shot by Haliburton and the Thunder dominating Game 2 at home. Here is the full NBA Finals 2025 schedule with dates, game times, and locations: How to Watch Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals 2025 Live Streaming Below are the list of live streaming to watch Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals 2025 listed: TV Broadcast: All games are nationally televised on ABC in the United States. Streaming Options: Fans can watch live via streaming services such as DIRECTV (offering a five-day free trial), fuboTV (free trial available), and the NBA League Pass for global viewers. NBA 2025 MVP Race: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs Tyrese Haliburton The MVP spotlight shines brightly on Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He has been electric throughout the postseason, averaging approximately 29.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. His offensive prowess and leadership are central to the Thunder's championship hopes. On the other side, Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton, an All-Star in 2023 and 2024, has been performed quite well, including a game-winning shot in Game 1. Haliburton's playmaking and scoring ability have been key to the Pacers' surprising Finals run. NBA Finals 2025: Series Odds and Predictions As per the recent forms, the Thunder are favoured to win the series with odds around -525, while the Pacers are underdogs at +400. Game 3 odds favour the Thunder by 5 points with an over/under of 227.5 points. Thunder's have strong perimeter defense, anchored by Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Chet Holmgren. It can be seen as a challenge for the Pacers offense. The Pacers rely heavily on Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, but lack Finals experience compared to the Thunder's more battle-tested squad. NBA Finals 2025 Highlights Below is the required NBA Finals 2025 Highlights listed: With star players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton leading the charge, fans can expect high-stakes basketball action broadcast live on ABC and streaming platforms. The series schedule offers multiple prime-time games. It will be accessible for basketball enthusiasts worldwide. (Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.) For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
