The Cleveland Cavaliers return to NBA Cup play Friday night as they visit the Washington Wizards for their second group stage game.
Darius Garland will play in his second game this season, providing Cleveland’s offense with a significant boost in pace and rhythm. Lonzo Ball remains sidelined due to injury management, missing the first game of a back-to-back.
Ethan Sands is a sports journalist and podcast host at Cleveland.com. He covers the Cleveland Cavaliers and hosts the Wine and Gold Talk podcast. Since joining in October 2023, Sands has delivered in-depth coverage of the team.
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Author's summary: The Cavs aim to improve their NBA Cup standing as Garland returns to energize the offense while managing Ball's absence early in a crucial back-to-back.