TITLE: Injury Updates and Player Reactions Around the East: Allen, Nembhard, Cunningham
SLUG: east-notes-allen-nembhard-cunningham
CONTENT:
CLEVELAND — Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson said he was “bummed” by Jarrett Allen’s season opener, where the center finished with just four rebounds. “That wasn’t the Jarrett Allen we all know,” Atkinson told reporters, adding that the coaching staff must do more to get him involved. Allen answered quickly, scoring 22 points with seven rebounds and four assists in Game 2 against Brooklyn, then adding eight points and 11 rebounds in Sunday’s 118–113 victory over Milwaukee.
INDIANAPOLIS — An MRI on Andrew Nembhard’s right shoulder revealed no long-term damage, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. The second-year guard left Thursday’s loss to Oklahoma City and is one of several Pacers ball-handlers dealing with injuries. Tyrese Haliburton, T.J. McConnell, Taelon Peter, Kam Jones, and Bennedict Mathurin were already listed on the injury report before Sunday, and forward Obi Toppin exited that game early with a hamstring issue.
DETROIT — Coming off an All-NBA season and a seventh-place finish in MVP voting, Cade Cunningham acknowledged he is still adjusting to increased defensive attention. “I just don’t feel like I’ve handled it the way I want to,” he said, vowing to study film to reduce empty possessions. The Pistons (2–1) host the Cavaliers (2–1) on Monday in the first Peacock streaming broadcast for either team.
Source: Hoops Wire
