Central Division Injury Updates: Nembhard’s Shoulder Outlook Improves; Cunningham Adapts to Extra Attention; Jones Embraces Pure Point Guard Role; Allen Urged to Stay Aggressive
pacers-nembhard-injury-cunningham-jones-allen-central-notes
October 26, 2025 — A recent MRI on Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard offered encouraging news, with team officials optimistic that his aggravated shoulder injury will require only short-term recovery. The second-year guard exited Thursday’s matchup with Oklahoma City after re-injuring the shoulder but is still expected to play a significant ball-handling role once cleared.
Indiana’s backcourt depth remains thin. Guards Tyrese Haliburton, T.J. McConnell, Taelon Peter, Kam Jones and Bennedict Mathurin all appeared on Sunday’s injury report, and forward Obi Toppin departed that contest against Minnesota early because of a hamstring issue.
Pistons
Cade Cunningham, fresh off his first All-NBA nod and a seventh-place MVP finish, acknowledged he is still learning to counter heightened defensive schemes. “I just don’t feel like I’ve handled it the way I want to,” the Detroit star told reporters. Cunningham said he will continue studying film to reduce what he called “empty offensive possessions.”
Bulls
In Chicago, Tre Jones continues to highlight the value of a traditional point guard. “I don’t think point guard will ever be out of the game completely,” Jones said. Head coach Billy Donovan compared Jones’s emergence to Aaron Nesmith’s leap with Indiana last season, emphasizing that consistent playing time often unlocks production.
Cavaliers
Jarrett Allen drew criticism from Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson after grabbing just four rebounds in his season debut against New York. Atkinson admitted the team did not involve Allen enough offensively but insisted the center must remain active on the glass. Allen responded with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists in a rematch with Brooklyn, then added eight points and 11 boards in Sunday’s 118–113 victory over Milwaukee.
Source: Hoops Rumors
