TITLE: Mitchell unfazed by seeding race; Rockets lose Eason 4–6 weeks; Nesmith out short-term with knee sprain
SLUG: mitchell-seeding-eason-oblique-nesmith-knee-updates
CONTENT:
CLEVELAND — Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell says Cleveland is prioritizing form over placement in the Eastern Conference standings after last season’s early playoff exit despite a regular-season surge.
“Playing well at the right time” is all that matters, Mitchell told VideoGamer.com’s D.J. Siddiqi. While the All-Star acknowledged every team wants the No. 1 seed “1,000 percent,” he added he will not panic if the Cavaliers fall short as long as they enter the postseason healthy and in rhythm.
Rockets forward Tari Eason sidelined
HOUSTON — Head coach Ime Udoka said forward Tari Eason has a strained oblique and is expected to miss four to six weeks. The injury was first diagnosed as a right hip contusion before additional tests revealed the strain.
Eason, the 17th pick in the 2022 draft, played all 82 games as a rookie but has dealt with multiple ailments since. Through 10 appearances this season, the 22-year-old averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 51.7 percent from the floor and 53.1 percent from three-point range.
Pacers lose Aaron Nesmith to knee sprain
INDIANAPOLIS — The Pacers will be without Aaron Nesmith for Saturday’s game against Toronto after the forward sustained a left knee sprain Thursday in Phoenix when he tangled with teammate Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
Head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters the team believes it “dodged a bullet” with the injury. Nesmith, 25, is enjoying a career-best offensive season, averaging 15.5 points while taking on a larger scoring role amid multiple absences in Indiana’s rotation.
Source: Hoops Wire
