Image Source: AP
[Saba Sports News] Jarrett Allen was notably durable for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the regular season, but his absence in the later stages of the postseason became a point of contention among some teammates.
Allen participated in 77 regular season games and the first four of the playoffs but missed the final eight games due to a rib injury incurred during the team’s first-round series against the Orlando Magic. The injury, which occurred after he took an elbow in Game 4, sidelined him for the remainder of the postseason.
Despite his resilience, playing in 81 consecutive games prior to the injury, his decision not to take a numbing injection—which could have potentially allowed him to play—led to frustration within the team, as reported by The Athletic.
His significant contributions, averaging 17.0 points and 13.8 rebounds in the playoff series against the Magic, underscored the impact of his absence, particularly as the Cavaliers were eliminated with a 113-98 loss in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series. His teammates clearly felt his presence on the court could have made a difference.