The Cleveland Cavaliers face a significant challenge heading into Game 5 of their first-round NBA playoff series against the Orlando Magic, as Jarrett Allen has been sidelined with a rib bruise.
This development leaves Cleveland without one of its most pivotal players, as the series stands knotted at two games apiece.
Allen, who has been a standout performer this series with averages of 17 points and 13.8 rebounds per game, was unexpectedly listed on the injury report Tuesday.
Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff revealed that Allen sustained the injury from an elbow to the ribs during the second half of Game 4 on Saturday.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic Updates
Despite the injury, Allen managed to contribute 21 points and nine rebounds in nearly 29 minutes of play during the loss.
Bickerstaff expressed concern about Allen’s mobility and safety on the court, emphasizing the importance of being able to move and react without risking further injury.
“With your trunk or your core, if you can’t shift or get out of harm’s way or do certain things, it can put you in a position where it’s not safe to be out there,” Bickerstaff said.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic Updates
In Allen’s absence, the Cavaliers will adjust their lineup by starting Isaac Okoro, a guard, in an effort to go small against the Magic. This shift to a more guard-heavy, one-in, four-out style is not unfamiliar to Cleveland, which excelled during a two-month period earlier this season using this approach while another key big man, Evan Mobley, was sidelined.
Okoro, however, has struggled in the series, averaging only 3.5 points and failing to score in the last two games. His performance has been hampered by more fouls and turnovers than baskets made, raising concerns about his effectiveness in an expanded role.
The Magic, who have not lost since inserting Wendell Carter Jr. as the starting center in Game 3, have outscored the Cavaliers by 61 points over the last two games and consistently outrebounded them throughout the series. The absence of Allen, Cleveland’s best interior defender and key player, presents an opportunity for Orlando to exploit.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic Updates
Allen’s absence has a significant impact on the series’ dynamics. While it’s speculative to predict how the Magic will respond, the absence of such a critical player from the Cavaliers lineup could either demoralize the Cleveland team or galvanize them to intensify their efforts.
As Cleveland enters Game 5 with heightened desperation, Orlando must match this urgency from the start to maintain their momentum in the series.
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