Cavaliers PG Darius Garland Exits with Injury as Heat Edge Cavaliers in Overtime

The Miami Heat edged the Cleveland Cavaliers 140-138 in overtime on Monday night, marking another dramatic clash between the two Eastern Conference teams. Andrew Wiggins sealed the victory for Miami with an alley-oop dunk at the buzzer, capping a high-scoring and unpredictable contest at the Kaseya Center. Norman Powell led the Heat with 33 points, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. contributed an all-around performance off the bench, recording 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists. Wiggins added 23 points, and rookie Kel’el Ware posted a double-double with 14 points and 20 rebounds. Miami was playing without Bam Adebayo (toe) and Tyler Herro (heel) due to injuries. On the Cavaliers’ side, Donovan Mitchell put up 28 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists, including a clutch three-pointer that tied the game with 0.4 seconds left in overtime. De’Andre Hunter scored 23 points, and Evan Mobley notched a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double. However, Cleveland lost Darius Garland in the third quarter to a recurring toe injury, and coach Kenny Atkinson was ejected late in the third. The Cavaliers attempted 120 shots, including 65 from three-point range, making 21 triples to extend their NBA-record streak to 98 consecutive regular-season games with at least 10 made threes (Cleveland Cavaliers box score). Despite the barrage, Miami improved to 5-0 at home for only the third time in franchise history, a feat last accomplished during their 2012-13 championship run and in the 2019-20 season when they reached the NBA Finals. This matchup was the first between the teams since the 2025 NBA Playoffs, when the Cavaliers swept the Heat in the most lopsided postseason series in league history, including a 138-83 win in Game 4. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra called last season’s exit “embarrassing,” but Monday’s win was a measure of redemption. The Heat and Cavaliers will face off again on Wednesday in Miami, as both teams look to solidify their standing in the Eastern Conference.