Darius Garland matched a LeBron James Cavs stat after an incredible night

Match LeBron in Cleveland and you're definitely on your way.

Many thought Darius Garland could be the dynamic floor general for a good NBA team. The Cavaliers expressly used the No. 5 pick of the 2019 NBA draft on Garland because they wanted him to be the foundation of their new team. High expectations from the get-go for anyone.

So far, so good for the 22-year-old. In his third season in Cleveland, Garland is lighting it up for one of the NBA’s more underrated, surprise teams. A stacked East has seen the Cavaliers hanging in there, largely thanks to Garland. Let’s be honest: 20.5 points and 7.9 assists would help elevate the play of anyone.

On Friday, the Cavaliers (7.5-point underdogs) lost 125-119 to the 76ers, despite a hard-fought game. They only had a chance because Garland came to ball and almost wrestled control from Joel Embiid and Co.

Oh man, you know you’re feeling it when you pull up with confidence on a fastbreak.

In the process of Garland’s performance, he matched LeBron James — another player who came to Cleveland and lived up to the tremendous hype — with an impressive mark.

A 25 point, 15-assist game is an outstanding effort for any point guard. It means you more than fulfilled your responsibilities as a scorer and primary facilitator (and got a little lucky that your teammates were just as locked-in as shooters). Doing it five times in one season already speaks volumes of the kind of point guard Garland’s become so fast. It’s even more special when it matches James, an all-time great, and once the Cavaliers’ de facto point guard. What a symbolic way to pass the torch.

What a coincidence that the moment the Cavaliers have a great point guard like Garland again, they become a team to write home about.

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