Kenny Atkinson hit hard by David Nwaba’s injury

Following Thursday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs, Kenny Atkinson could only think about David Nwaba and his injury.

Heading into Thursday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, David Nwaba was a regular part of the Brooklyn Nets rotation. He’d earned consistent minutes, playing right around 20 minutes per night. In addition to his tough defense, Nwaba was scoring off the bench — and doing so efficiently.

Then he went down in the fourth quarter against the Spurs with a non-contact injury. The team eventually ruled it an Achilles injury. Multiple reports then indicated Nwaba tore his right Achilles.

The injury rocked Nets players and Keny Atkinson. When asked about the loss in general after the game, the Nets head coach was unable to focus on anything but Nwaba’s injury:

We can talk about the game, [but] I’m concerned about David Nwaba. Hurt himself out there tonight and That’s really where our thoughts are. It’s tough to focus on the game right now. He’s playing as well as anybody on our team. So, tough blow. That’s kind of where our hearts and minds are right now.

Atkinson added:

A young guy like that, who’s playing great, [I] just really feel for him.

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