Darius Garland expects to make his Los Angeles Clippers debut shortly, telling Andscape the team’s medical staff will determine the exact timeline. The guard has not appeared in a game since January 14, sidelined by a right toe sprain following earlier surgery on his left toe.
Garland, averaging 18.0 points and 6.9 assists across 26 games this season, was dealt to the Clippers on February 3 in exchange for veteran guard James Harden. He acknowledged his persistent toe troubles were a significant factor in Cleveland’s decision to move him.
“The toe definitely had a factor in it,” Garland said. “They didn’t know if I was going to be healthy for this season, which I will be. But they thought that James had something that I didn’t, I believe. He has experience in playoffs and All-Star numbers still to this day.”
Garland, who missed four playoff games in 2025 due to injury, said his agent Rich Paul had informed him a trade was likely as far back as last summer – deadline or otherwise.
“It was going to happen regardless, either at the [trade] deadline or this summer,” Garland said. “They want to win right now. They have a group, too. And I guess I really wasn’t part of the plan.”
Now paired with Kawhi Leonard, Garland sees expanded opportunity in Los Angeles.
“I have the ball in my hand a lot more where I could do me a little bit more,” Garland said. “I have another superstar next to me. I can go get it as well.”