Everything’s louder in the playoffs. The crowd, critics, and the clock ticking down when you’re trailing in a series you weren’t supposed to trail in. The amplified stakes make every moment feel crucial. And the Cleveland Cavaliers have felt every second of it, as the weight of it all has been crushing. With the tension of Darius Garland and other players’ injuries mounting, every game feels like it could swing either way.

Game 3 was supposed to be a turning point, but no one could’ve predicted just how pivotal it would be. And now, on the brink of what could either be a total collapse or a thunderous resurgence, one thing is absolutely clear: the Cavs are all in. Wait, what? All in? As in all their players healthy and ready to play?

Yes, you read that right. Because, as of today, the Cavs confirmed what fans were both hoping for and dreading the wait to hear: Darius Garland is in for Game 4. So is everyone else. And the Pacers? They’re already rattled. This isn’t just another game on the schedule. This is the game. This is where the whispers of doubt stop, where legacies start to take shape, and where heroes emerge. The message from the locker room? No one’s sitting this one out. But there’s more lurking under the surface. What happens next isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Not by a long shot.

Darius Garland, who’s been dealing with a pesky sprained left big toe, is good to go for Game 4. While he hasn’t fully shaken it off, Garland’s been managing the injury with rest and treatment, making it a day-by-day situation. He still showed his worth in Game 3, playing 24 minutes and contributing 10 points. It’s clear that his presence on the court is invaluable, even if he’s not 100%. The Cavs are going to need all hands on deck, especially with the stakes this high.

But wait. That’s not the story. Not yet. Because this move—this “all available” announcement—it’s not just a green light. It’s a warning. A signal that Cleveland’s not interested in playing it safe. They’re dragging this fight back to Ohio, or they’re going out swinging so hard you’ll feel it through the floorboards.

Darius Garland’s back, so is the full roster… But what does this really mean for game 4 of Cavs vs Pacers?

The blowout in Game 3 wasn’t an accident. It was a statement. Cleveland’s Game 3 performance wasn’t just about Mitchell’s 43-point eruption. It was the team coming alive as a whole. Evan Mobley dominated the boards with 13 rebounds and added 18 points in 35 minutes. Max Strus stepped up, contributing 20 points and 7 assists in 33 minutes, and Jarrett Allen held down the paint with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Even with Darius Garland playing just 25 minutes and contributing 10 points, his presence was felt.

Add in De’Andre Hunter’s return to form, though quieter with 8 points, added valuable minutes to the rotation, and suddenly the Cavs look deeper, grittier, and hungrier than they’ve been all series. But none of that works without Garland, who, even when he’s not filling up the box score, is the calm in their chaos. The pacing. The pulse.

So why hide the headline for so long? Because the injury chatter was loud. Garland had missed time. People started whispering about minute restrictions, long-term risk, maybe even a series-ending decision. And now, boom! Full roster. Game on.

And honestly, this isn’t only about tying the series. It’s about control. The Pacers have been scrappy, yes, but they’ve also been wildly inconsistent, and Cleveland just smelled blood. Because Game 4 is in Indy. And the Cavs want it back in Cleveland with a tied series and their swagger intact. Garland’s availability means no excuses, no passive rotations, no letting Indiana dictate tempo.

This is a team that knows it’s supposed to go further. That knows last season’s early exit can’t happen again. Not with Mitchell playing possessed, not with Mobley locking things down, and definitely not with a fully-loaded lineup stepping into the arena.

Now we see what the Cavs are really made of. Not just talent, but intent. This is where teams prove whether their chemistry is real or just regular-season optics. And they’ve chosen to do it with every weapon available. No safety nets. No “maybe next game.” Just one goal: beat Indiana and drag this series back to Cleveland with smoke still coming off their jerseys. Game 4 tips off this Sunday. If you’re the Pacers, you better come prepared or be ready to run.