MIAMI (AP) — All-Star guard Darius Garland was ruled out by the Cleveland Cavaliers for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series Saturday against the Miami Heat because of a sprained left big toe.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) shoots as Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith, left, defends in the second half in Game 2 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) AP

Game 3 was going to be a stiff challenge already, with the Cavs’ best-of-seven playoff series shifting to South Beach — a place where Cleveland hasn’t won much the last decade. It just got more difficult.