Central Notes: Morris, Cunningham, Haliburton, Antetokounmpo

With Cade Cunningham sidelined by a left knee strain, the Pistons would love to have guard Monte Morris available. However, Morris has been out all season due to a quad injury.

Morris, who was acquired in an offseason trade with Washington, is making progress but he won’t return to action for at least a couple more weeks, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press tweets. Morris has started ramping up his basketball activities this week and could make his season debut before the end of the month.

“Monte’s chomping to get back,” coach Monty Williams said. “This is the first time he hasn’t had pain in his leg since he got injured.”

Morris could be a trade chip for the Pistons — he has an expiring $9.8MM contract.

We have more from the Central Division:

• Speaking of Cunningham, Williams doesn’t believe his star guard was injured against Golden State on Friday, as some have speculated, Sankofa adds in another tweet. Cunningham played in the first half against Denver on Sunday. Williams blames himself for the heavy workload he has placed on Cunningham and some other players. “We looked at the film. We don’t think (he was injured against the Warriors). I just think it’s a bit of load,” Williams said. “I’m playing guys way too much in long stretches. It’s something that I have to look at when he comes back to make sure he’s not in this situation again.”
• The Pacers were 1-9 last season when Tyrese Haliburton was sidelined by an elbow injury, but they feel confident that can hold the fort without him this season, according to Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. Haliburton will miss at least two weeks with a hamstring strain. “I think we have a better mentality moving forward than we did last year without him,” forward Aaron Nesmith said. “We have a really good next-man-up mentality, especially because we’re just so deep. Everyone on this team works hard, deserve to play, and they always showcase what they’re able to do when they get the chance. I think we’ll be alright.”
• The Jazz shredded the Bucks’ defense on Monday and Milwaukee heard boos from the home fans. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who criticized the team’s defensive effort after Saturday’s loss to Houston, didn’t mince words again when asked about the team’s performance. “At the end of the day, you gotta play hard,” Antetokounmpo said. “I don’t think it’s about making or missing shots. It’s about giving effort out there and when you don’t, I think people feel that. When you wear a Bucks jersey and you don’t play hard — not just Bucks jerseys, any jersey — I think we have great fans. But around the league, if you don’t play hard and don’t give everything for the team, there are times where you might get booed.”