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Iman Shumpert out vs. Thunder due to groin injury

Just two games after returning, Iman Shumpert is already back on the sideline.

Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

After having him back for two games, the Cleveland Cavaliers will again be without Iman Shumpert.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Shumpert has already been ruled out Thursday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to the groin injury he suffered in Tuesday night's win against the Boston Celtics. Shumpert left the game and headed back to the locker room during the fourth quarter and didn't return.

After the game, Cavs coach David Blatt said that he was worried about Shumpert's health, although he did say that his concern stemmed from Shumpert's injury history and not the injury itself. After the game, McMemamin and the Northeast Ohio's Media Group's Chris Haynes both independently reported that Shumpert's injury isn't serious.

For Shumpert and the Cavs, this is a potentially tough break. The Cavs without Shumpert and Kyrie Irving have been operating at less than 100 percent all season and Shumpert's return was the first step towards some kind of normalcy. If he's out for any extended period of time, that sets the Cavs back a little. If it's just a minor groin pull, sitting Shumpert for a game or two really isn't a big deal and is probably the safest, best route in the long run. It's still really early in the season and with the Cavs atop the Eastern Conference, there's no real need to have everyone on deck at full speed right now.

In two games since returning from wrist surgery, is shooting 63.6 percent from the field and averaging 10 points a game. Prior to being hurt against Boston, Shumpert was 2-4 from the field for six points to go allowing with one rebound, one assist and one steal.