The Cleveland Cavaliers return to NBA Cup play on Friday night, visiting the Washington Wizards for their second group stage game.
Darius Garland is expected to play his second game of the season, adding much-needed speed and rhythm to Cleveland’s offense. Meanwhile, Lonzo Ball will sit out due to injury management, as the team faces the first night of a back-to-back.
Ethan Sands is a sports journalist and podcast host at Cleveland.com, covering the Cavaliers and hosting the Wine and Gold Talk podcast. Since joining in October 2023, Sands has been providing in-depth coverage of the team.
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Author's summary: The Cavaliers aim to boost their NBA Cup performance with Darius Garland returning to the lineup, while managing Lonzo Ball's injury during a tough schedule.