TITLE: Injury Updates and Roster Shifts: Pacers Hand Ball to Nembhard, Hawks Refocus, Magic Aim for Suggs’ Opening-Night Return
SLUG: pacers-hawks-magic-injury-updates-roster-moves
CONTENT:
Pacers
With All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton ruled out for the season because of an Achilles tear, second-year guard Andrew Nembhard is set to become Indiana’s primary ball-handler.
“It changes my whole perception of the game,” Nembhard told The Indianapolis Star, noting the adjustment from playing off the ball to initiating the offense.
Forward Pascal Siakam said replacing Haliburton’s production will require a group effort. “It’s never been about one person,” Siakam said. “We all are gonna have to do it collectively.” He added that he expects to shoulder more on-ball responsibilities, something he previously did in Toronto.
Hawks
Atlanta added Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard during the offseason, prompting head coach Quin Snyder to emphasize lineup versatility. “Our players have to understand that every game is different,” Snyder told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, praising Alexander-Walker’s perimeter defense, Porzingis’ defensive range and Kennard’s shooting.
Snyder called the process “a slow burn,” while stressing the need for urgency as training camp approaches.
Guard Trae Young will enter camp without a new contract. He is eligible for a four-year, $223 million extension but said he is not concerned. “I’m blessed,” Young told ESPN. “If something happened, it happened. If it didn’t, I still got time. I’m focused on this team.”
Magic
Orlando is targeting opening night for guard Jalen Suggs, who is recovering from a left knee trochlea cartilage tear, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Although Suggs hoped to be fully cleared for training camp, the club will use the preseason to ramp up his activity.
Center Moritz Wagner, working back from a torn ACL, remains behind Suggs in his rehab timeline. “He’s further away, but he’s attacking it,” team president Jeff Weltman said.
Head coach Jamahl Mosley added that Suggs took part in all non-contact drills Tuesday, while Wagner completed many of the same drills “two steps back” in progression.
Source: Hoops Wire
