NBA
Will Jarrett Allen play for the Cavs in Game 2 against the Celtics? Injury update
The center missed the final three games of the first round. Fourth seeds Cleveland head into tonight’s clash 1-0 down in the series.
More setbacks for the Cavaliers going into tonight’s clash with top seeds Boston, the second outing of the Conference semi-finals. The Cavs lost the first game 120-95 and coach J. B. Bickerstaff has four players on the casualty list as they attempt to tie the series at TD Garden later today.
Jarrett Allen has been sidelined since Game 4 of the last round. He finished as the Cavs’ top scorer in the 112-89 defeat to the Magic but suffered a pierced rib injury during the game after colliding with Franz Wagner, taking an elbow to the ribs. That injury, which left the center in excruciating pain, kept him out for the subsequent four matchups, including the first game of the semi-finals.
Jarrett Allen suffering with painful, bruised ribs
According to the latest reports, Allen’s rib injury is showing no signs of improvement. Shams Charania explained that it’s such a painful injury that Allen will likely suffer whatever he does out on court: “You feel it all the time. The words I keep hearing are ‘really uncomfortable,’” the journalist said this week. Other sources said that the player has been struggling to lift his arm due to stiffness.
Bickerstaff added: “Every day, he tries to do more and more and test the mobility. That’s where we’ll get the signs ... of when he’ll be able to play. We’re not gonna put him out there if he can’t protect himself and that’s where he’s been at to this point”. Losing one of their most consistent players is a huge blow to the Cavs’ chances of reaching the final.
Cleveland have missed Allen who averaged 17 points (67.6% from the field), 13.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1 block per game in the first round against the Magic. He played 77 games during the regular season, averaging 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
Apart from Allen, three others won’t be suiting up for the Cavs tonight - Dean Wade is ruled out with a knee injury, Ty Jerome is nursing an ankle injury and fring player Craig Porter remains out with a sprained ankle.