CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the Locked On Cavs podcast in the video player above is from Nov. 9, 2021.
Darius Garland's breakout has now been interrupted, with the Cleveland Cavaliers announcing that their third-year point guard has entered the NBA's COVID-19 protocols.
According to the Cavs, Garland will miss the team's matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night and further updates will be provided at an appropriate time.
The 21-year-old Garland heads to COVID-19 protocols while in the midst of 2021-22 season that many have deemed to be All-Star-worthy. In 31 games, the No. 5 pick of the 2019 NBA Draft has averaged 19.5 points on .479 percent shooting (.384 from 3-point range), to go along with 7.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds.
Garland is just latest Cleveland player to enter COVID-19 protocols as the league continues to battle a recent surge in cases associated with the omicron variant. The Cavs, however, did receive some good news on Tuesday with The Athletic's Shams Charania reporting that rookie big man Evan Mobley has cleared COVID-19 protocols and could return in time for Tuesday's road matchup vs. the Pelicans.
With Garland out of the lineup, veteran Ricky Rubio will likely serve as the Cavs' starting point guard, with Kevin Pangos receiving an increase in playing time. In 33 games this season, the 31-year-old Rubio has averaged 12.7 points and 6.5 assists.
At 20-13, Cleveland enters Tuesday's road matchup with New Orleans laying claim to the fifth-best record in the Eastern Conference.