The Cleveland Cavaliers have done a great job of navigating some injuries this NBA season. They have lost Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio to season-ending injuries, decimating their backcourt depth. Most recently, the team lost All-Star center, Jarrett Allen.
Allen has been a big part of the Cavaliers’ resurgence this season. Combined with rookie Evan Mobley, Cleveland has an imposing frontcourt duo that protects the rim as well as anyone in the NBA. That interior defense is a big reason the team is winning as often as they are, and it has waned at times with Allen sidelined.
Allen fractured his finger in a game against the Toronto Raptors on March 6th. Since that time, the Cavaliers have played eight games and have surrendered 115.9 points per game. On the season they are allowing only 104.6 points per game, which is third in the NBA.
Playing with Allen is certainly a big reason for the regression defensively. Without him in the game to rebound and protect the rim, teams are parading to the rim without much resistance. Unfortunately for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jarrett Allen may not be on the court any time soon.
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According to The Athletic, Allen could be sidelined for at least another three weeks because of the fractured finger.
“Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen is hopeful of a return to the lineup within the next three weeks after suffering a fractured left finger on March 6, sources said. Allen has so far resisted surgery on the finger, which would have had a lengthy return timetable. The Cavaliers have 11 games left in the season.”
The Cavaliers’ regular season will be over in just under three weeks. If they can avoid the NBA Play-In Tournament, the earliest they would be back on the court following the regular-season finale on April 10th is April 16th.
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Those extra few days could be the difference between having a healthy Allen on the court or not. While it is certainly not ideal to be without him for the stretch run, one positive is that he should be able to keep up with his conditioning.
Since it is an injury to his finger, he can still run, so his ramp-up period will not be as extensive as a player who injures something that would keep them from doing conditioning drills.
Hopefully, for Jarrett Allen and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the injury does not require surgery. If that is the route that he has to go down, his season is likely going to be over.
