Donovan Mitchell is joining Jarrett Allen on the sideline as the early-season injuries pile up for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Mitchell is out for Friday night’s home game against Toronto with left hamstring tightness. Allen was downgraded to out after breaking the ring finger on his left hand in a 125-105 loss to Boston on Wednesday. The Cavaliers were already missing starting point guard Darius Garland and forward Max Strus. Garland is coming off toe surgery, while Strus had an offseason foot procedure.

Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin will miss at least three months due to a stress fracture in his right foot that will require surgery. The team says Toppin is planning to have surgery in New York. It's the latest setback for an injury-plagued team that lost its first four games coming off a trip to the NBA Finals. Two-time All-Star Tyrese Halliburton could miss the entire season after tearing his right Achilles tendon in the Game 7 loss to Oklahoma City in the title series. The Pacers are missing two more injured starters in Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard.

Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson will be sidelined by injuries when the New York Knicks open their season Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Hart injured his lower back when he slipped to the court against Philadelphia in the preseason opener and was ruled out Tuesday with lumbar spasms. Robinson is sitting out with what the Knicks said is left ankle injury management. Robinson had ankle surgery before last season and was limited to 17 games after he returned. The center eventually replaced Hart, a swingman who had been the starter, in the lineup during the Eastern Conference finals. New coach Mike Brown hasn’t said which would start.

Hospitals and doctors' offices are inviting singers and musicians to help patients manage their pain, as music's ability to reduce pain is gaining attention. No one is suggesting that a catchy song can completely eliminate serious pain. But several recent studies have suggested that listening to music can either reduce the perception of pain or enhance a person’s ability to tolerate it. The key is letting patients choose the music and encouraging active listening. Scientists say one aspect of music's power is simple distraction, but it's more than that. It changes the perception and experience of pain, and the isolation and anxiety.