Central Division Roundup: Mathurin’s Injury, Cunningham’s Growth, Bickerstaff’s Homecoming, Potter’s Fast Start
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INDIANAPOLIS — Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin will be out indefinitely while he recovers from a right thumb sprain and turf toe, head coach Rick Carlisle said before Sunday’s game. According to HoopsHype, the second-year guard had attempted to play through the thumb issue for several weeks but now needs time to heal. Mathurin is averaging a career-best 17.8 points, yet his production has slipped since mid-December to 13.5 points on 36.9% shooting overall and 27.1% from three over his last 11 contests. No timetable for his return was provided.
DETROIT — Pistons star Cade Cunningham credits assistant coach Jarrett Jack for helping elevate his play and leadership during Detroit’s surge to the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed. Jack, added to Monty Williams’ staff ahead of the season, works with the guard in one-on-one sessions, pre-game routines and in-game discussions. “He just knows how to read the room,” Cunningham said. “He’s one of the main ones that’s helped build this culture that we got.”
CLEVELAND — Detroit’s recent four-point victory over the Cavaliers marked the Pistons’ first road win in Cleveland since head coach J.B. Bickerstaff left the Cavs for Detroit. Entering the matchup, Cleveland held a 4-1 record against its former coach. Forward Isaiah Stewart, starting for the injured Jalen Duren, posted three blocks and two steals and said the team wanted to “have his back” with the stakes heightened against Bickerstaff’s old club.
INDIANAPOLIS — Newly signed center Micah Potter moved from a fresh contract to the Pacers’ starting lineup in roughly a week. The former Team USA standout scored 16 points on 4-of-8 three-point shooting with six rebounds in his first start Friday against San Antonio. Two days later against Orlando, he contributed 11 points and 10 boards in just over 29 minutes. “Create for my teammates, whether that’s passing, shooting open shots, setting good screens—just trying to create space,” Potter said of his role.
Source: HoopsRumors
