CLEVELAND — Hours before the Cavaliers host the Orlando Magic for a pivotal Game 5 matchup with their first round series tied 2-2, Cleveland learned it would be without the man who has been their best player in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
According to the Associated Press' Tom Withers, Cavs center Jarrett Allen had been listed as questionable for tonight's game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse with a rib injury. He was eventually ruled put, with Isaac Okoro taking his place in the starting lineup.
Where and how Allen sustained the injury has yet to be revealed.
To say Allen missing Tuesday night's game would strike a devastating blow to the Cavaliers odds in the series may be a understatement. Allen has been one of the only consistent offensive threats for Cleveland throughout the series, a far cry from his performance during the Cavs' 2023 playoff series loss against the New York Knicks
The Cavaliers' offensive rating with Allen on the court in the playoffs is 103.6 compared to 85.9 with him off the court. Allen has averaged 17 points and nine rebounds in the first four games of the series.
Allen has also been one of the most efficient players on offense throughout the entire NBA playoffs with a rating of 27.1, finishing only behind the likes of Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Anthony Edwards and Anthony Davis.