Kenny Atkinson ticked off due to non-calls that led to injuries in Game 1: ‘I’m just in shock’

The Cleveland Cavaliers are banged up going into Game 2 of their series against the Indiana Pacers, and some of their injuries came in Game 1 of of the best-of-seven affair.

Cavs guard Darius Garland missed Game 1, and he’s expected to be questionable for Game 2. Joining him as questionable will be big man Evan Mobley and forward De’Andre Hunter, who were both injured in the series opener on Sunday.

Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson isn’t happy about having the statuses of Mobley and Hunter in jeopardy after they were involved in plays on Sunday that he felt “passed a line of physicality.”

Speaking on the topic, Atkinson directed more frustration toward the officiating crew than he did at the Pacers, as he said he didn’t feel like the plays were dirty.

“Indiana deserved that. They outplayed us. They were the more physical team,” Atkinson said Monday. “But I will say there were two plays in that game that, I don’t think they were dirty plays, but I think it passed a line of physicality. That line we’ve kind of been talking about where it became excessive.”

The first of the two plays in question came with a little over eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, as Mobley landed on the foot of Pacers big man Myles Turner.

Atkinson said there wasn’t enough space for Mobley to land.

“Turner contests his two-point shot, comes clearly under him and shooters need space to land,” Atkinson said. “He is pushed off balance in our opinion and tweaks his ankle pretty bad. I think you guys saw him limping the rest of the game. There was a big push to get him out. He wanted to stay in.”

The other play came shortly thereafter, when Hunter attempted a dunk that was stopped by Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin. That play was challenged by the Cavs for a foul, but the officiating crew stuck with its original decision of a clean block.

Atkinson offered his feelings.

“I’m just in shock,” Atkinson said of the Hunter play. “I guess I’ve gotta know the rules better. Maybe I don’t know the rules. I felt he got absolutely obliterated.”

On those plays, Mobley suffered an ankle injury, and Hunter suffered a dislocated thumb.

“It’s unfortunate for us,” Atkinson said. “I don’t think this is on Indiana. I have so much respect for how they play. They’re hard-playing dudes. I think that’s on the referees. Maybe they were missed calls or maybe I’m misinterpreting the rules. But I have a problem when we got two of our best players doubtful for tomorrow’s game, it’s hard for me to get my head around that. There were no calls on either one.

“I haven’t talked about referees all year. I think the referees in this league are phenomenal and they do a great job, and that was a darn good crew that did last night, ton of respect for those guys. But for some reason, it bothers me that we’re dealing with this. At least there should be some repercussions in terms of making the call.”

It’s worth noting that whether fouls were called on the plays might not have necessarily prevented the plays and injuries from happening, but Atkinson might feel a bit less miffed had the officials come to different conclusions.

Atkinson’s comments on Monday led to some confusion about whether Mobley and Hunter are questionable or doubtful, which he clarified.

Garland’s status, of course, will be another key storyline to monitor. He said Sunday that he is confident he will play in Game 2, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the team or its medical staff agrees.

The Cavs are now facing a series deficit that could worsen if they are missing key players in Game 2. A Pacers victory would give Indiana a 2-0 advantage with the series shifting back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, so Cleveland needs to do everything in its power to avoid falling into that type of situation.