NBA
Will Jarrett Allen play for the Cavs in game 1 against the Celtics? Injury update
Will Allen be ready to play against the Celtics in the playoff game against the top seed?
After going all the way to game 7, the Cavs finally overcame Magic in the first round. Now, their prize awaits them in TD Garden, the Eastern Conference top seed: the Boston Celtics.
However, fans are biting their nails over the possible absence of Jarrett Allen, who is not guaranteed to play in the upcoming game. Allen started 77 games during the regular season and averaged a career-high 16.5 points per game; it seems so much sport has taken its toll.
What injury does Jarrett Allen have?
Cleveland might have to go into the tie without center Jarrett Allen, sidelined with a rib injury that benched him during their Game 5 victory. Allen has been in decent form so far for the Cavs, averaging 17.0 points and 13.8 rebounds, meaning that without the 26-year-old the Cavs would have to lean heavily on Mitchell and Garland for their 3-point shooting. It would be a huge blow as the team currently ranks as the second-worst in the playoffs, shooting a mere 28% from beyond the arc.
According to the official NBA injury report which all teams are required to submit by 5 p.m. local time on the day before a game, Allen has a ‘right-rib contusion’ (bruise) and is marked down as ‘questionable’, meaning that his participation is not guaranteed at all. Before Game 6, Bickerstaff told ESPN that Allen “couldn’t move” because of the injury he suffered during Game 4 and that his breathing was also affected.
“It’s going to be a physical game. We expect that, but it’s one of those things where mentally you got to be prepared from the start and there’s no smoothing your way into this one,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters Thursday.
As well as Allen appearing on the list, Ty Jerome, Craig Porter Jr and Dean Wade are all confirmed ‘out’ of game 7.
Which players are injured for the Boston Celtics?
Kristaps Porzingis is the only confirmed absence for the Celtics, as the Latvian power forward is out with a right soleus (calf) strain.
Orlando has failed to secure a playoff series victory since 2010, whereas Cleveland, despite being six years removed from their last of four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, hasn’t clinched a series win without LeBron James since 1993.
The game between the Cavs and the Magic, the one that will decide who goes through, will tip off on Tuesday 7 May at 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT at TD Garden in Boston, where the home side will be looking to use their passionate fanbase to push them through.