Luke Kennard suffers shoulder sprain in Pistons' win

Detroit — Pistons guard Luke Kennard is having a tough start to his second season. Kennard suffered a shoulder injury and could miss some time.

Kennard suffered the injury late in the second quarter Thursday, after running into a screen by the Cavaliers’ Channing Frye. He winced in pain after the initial contact and continued for a bit until a dead ball, when he could get to the bench. He was taken to the locker room and didn’t return to the game.

“Someone told me a few minutes ago it was a right shoulder sprain,” coach Dwane Casey said. “We’ll know (Friday) exactly what happened and what it is. It’s a pretty hard shot on the screen, so it’s a little painful.”

It’s a rough blow for Kennard, who missed most of the summer after suffering a knee injury and missing all of Summer League, part of a rehab of six to eight weeks that impacted his workout regimen.

Ish Smith also suffered a lower-body injury, which appeared to be a hamstring, in the fourth quarter. He was taken back to the locker room for further examination and re-entered the game in the final minutes.

Rod.Beard@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard