CLEVELAND — An injury will force Cavaliers All-Star point guard Darius Garland to sit out Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Cavs and Indiana Pacers on Sunday, May 4.

It’s the third consecutive playoff game Garland has missed because of a sprained left big toe. He was also idle in Games 3 and 4 of the first round as the Cavs swept the Miami Heat 4-0.

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Garland entered May 4 listed as questionable to play, but the Cavs formally ruled him out about an hour before tipoff against the Pacers. Sam Merrill will enter the starting lineup.

Garland practiced with contact May 2, but he rested during practice May 3, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said. The team’s medical staff wanted to find out how Garland responded May 4 before a final decision would be made about his status for Game 1.

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During Atkinson’s media availability before Game 1, he reiterated Garland’s status is day to day.

“Toes are tough,” Atkinson said. “That’s a tough one, but it’s really how he feels and he is a stop-start guy.

“He’s a violent cutter, violent change-direction guy. So it’s just going to be day to day. How does it feel?”

Garland suffered the injury during the regular season and aggravated it in Game 2 against the Heat.

Nate Ulrich can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.