In the late hours of May 13, following the Cavs’ stinging loss to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA playoffs, All-Star point guard Darius Garland slowly and gingerly walked out of Rocket Arena toward an uncertain summer.

Darius Garland looked like a shell of himself at the worst possible time. That’s because a major injury to his biggest toe kept him from being at his best when it mattered most.

Those are pretty plainly put statements from Atkinson, and ones that demonstrate just how serious the injury to Garland was and how methodical his recover will be as a result. The Cavs may be relying on Lonzo Ball and Craig Porter Jr. out of the gate, as well as some Donovan Mitchell point guard minutes until Garland is fully ready to go.