Cavs' Garland plays vs. Celtics after 5-game absence

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland made his return Wednesday night against the Boston Celtics.

Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said that the 22-year-old will most likely play in shorter stints than usual, according to Cayleigh Griffin of Bally Sports Cleveland.

Garland missed five games due to an eye injury suffered in the Cavaliers' season opener against the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 19. Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. appeared to poke Garland in the eye while attempting to steal the ball.

Cleveland went 5-0 with Garland out of the lineup, led by prized offseason acquisition Donovan Mitchell, who averaged 32.4 points and seven assists per game over that span.

Garland made his first All-Star appearance last season, averaging 21.7 points and 8.6 assists in 68 contests.