Stephen A. Smith urges Darius Garland to play through toe injury as Cleveland Cavaliers trail Indiana Pacers 0–2 in playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a tough spot, down 0-2 in their Eastern Conference semifinal against the Indiana Pacers. In light of this, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith has called out Cavaliers' point guard Darius Garland for sitting out four straight playoff games because of a sprained left big toe. Smith's passionate remarks highlight the need for Garland to come back and help a struggling Cavaliers team.Darius Garland hurt his left big toe in Game 2 of the Cavs' first-round sweep over the Miami Heat, where he scored 21 points and dished out nine assists. He’s been out since then, missing four playoff games in a row. Stephen A. Smith pointed out on ESPN's First Take how crucial the playoffs are, saying, "You're on the brink of elimination. ... Limp yo ass out there no matter which way you got to do it."Smith pointed out how well Indiana's backcourt played, mentioning that Andrew Nembhard and Tyrese Haliburton racked up 45 points, 19 assists, and just one turnover in Game 2. He emphasized that Donovan Mitchell can't carry the offensive load by himself, particularly since other guards like Ty Jerome are having a tough time — Jerome went 1-for-14 shooting in Game 2.The Cavaliers are dealing with more injuries than just Garland. Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley is out with an ankle issue, and important bench player De'Andre Hunter is sidelined with a thumb injury, too. Even though Donovan Mitchell scored an impressive 48 points, the Cavaliers let a seven-point lead slip away in the last minute, losing 120–119 after Haliburton hit a game-winning three.Kenny Atkinson, the head coach, pointed out Garland's dedication to his recovery, mentioning he's been using the treadmill. However, he's still facing challenges with cutting and running, which are crucial for matching the Pacers' fast tempo. Atkinson highlighted the need to prioritize Garland's health, making it clear that they won't risk playing him unless he's at 100%.As the series heads to Indiana for Game 3, the Cavaliers have a tough challenge ahead, trying to bounce back from a 0–2 deficit without some of their star players. The spotlight is on Garland to come back and lend a hand to Mitchell and the team. Smith's remarks echo a common feeling that, considering the situation, Garland should push through the pain to help the Cavaliers' playoff hopes.Also Read: Stephen Curry Diagnosed with grade 1 hamstring strain, expected to miss game 2 of Warriors vs. Timberwolves seriesThe Cavaliers' chances for the playoffs are on shaky ground. They'll need to show some grit as they deal with injuries and tough competition. Garland coming back could really change the game for them. The next few matches will show if the Cavaliers can pull together and keep their title dreams alive.