The Cleveland Cavaliers won a big game against a potential postseason foe.
Unfortunately, it may have cost them one of their best players.
Star big man Jarrett Allen sustained a hand injury while he tried to dunk.
According to coach Kenny Atkinson, X-rays on his hand came back negative, but he will most likely have an MRI to confirm the extent of the potential injury.
#Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said he believes Jarrett Allen injured his hand on a dunk attempt from the contact against the rim.
Atkinson confirmed Allen’s X-rays were negative and believes the big man will have an MRI tomorrow.
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) February 22, 2025
Allen finished the game with ten points on 5-of-6 from the floor.
He also grabbed three rebounds in 20 minutes before exiting.
Needless to say, losing a player of Allen’s skill, build, and caliber would be a massive blow to this team’s aspirations.
While Evan Mobley has already shown that he can hold his own at the five and is an elite interior defender, having Allen by his side takes plenty of pressure off his shoulder on both ends of the glass.
Allen usually endures a beating below the rim, whereas Mobley is more mobile and has spent more time in the elbow and the perimeter this season.
Also, the two have developed strong chemistry with their 1-2 big-to-big game, with Mobley constantly finding Allen above the rim for a lob.
Even so, the injury doesn’t seem to be so serious, so if he has to miss a couple of games because of it, it shouldn’t be for an extended period.
For now, however, the team can only hope for the best and continue further testing to determine the best course of action with the star big man.
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