Cleveland Cavaliers Face Major Frontcourt Concern As Jarrett Allen Suffers Knee Injury Against Oklahoma City Thunder

Jarrett Allen faces a potential absence with a right knee injury© Instagram/ _bigjayy_

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen left Wednesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder early with a right knee injury. The team soon listed Allen as doubtful to return. The fall came late in the first quarter after a knee-to-knee collision with Thunder guard Jared McCain. Allen grabbed his knee, stayed down for a moment and walked slowly to the locker room once play stopped. He played only seven minutes. As the Cavs' longtime starter at center, Allen leaves a big hole in the middle of the lineup.

What Happened To Jarrett Allen Against The Thunder?

The collision came with just over a minute left in the first quarter. The 6-foot-9 center went to the floor in clear pain, gripping the right knee. Teammate Mario Hezonja put back an offensive rebound while Allen lay there, and then Allen raised one finger to ask for a sub.

Sam Merrill fouled to stop play, which gave the 11th-year veteran time to get up. Allen walked gingerly to the home locker room, and Cleveland announced soon after that he was doubtful to return. The Cavs went into halftime down 60-44.

His season numbers show what the team is trying to replace. The 28-year-old one-time All-Star has been Cleveland's starting center since a trade during the 2020-21 season. He is averaging 15.1 points on 63.1 percent shooting, along with a team-high 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.4 assists in 27.9 minutes a night.

How Will The Cavaliers Cover Center Minutes Without Allen?

Cleveland expects Thomas Bryant and Hezonja to step up and help Evan Mobley hold the frontcourt together. Hezonja was already in the game when Allen went down.

Rebounding is the first problem. Nobody on the roster grabs more boards per game than Allen, and he also protects the rim and finishes at a high clip. A fill-in can cover the minutes. Matching all of that at once is harder.

The deficit made the timing worse. Trailing by 16 at the break is a tough spot with the starting center in doubt, and the second half put the depth to work right away.

Bryant and Hezonja are the ones asked to lighten Mobley's load. Watch the glass, and watch how often opponents get to the rim.

Cleveland came into Wednesday at 4-3, tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference, and Philadelphia and New York are next. Neither early report gave a diagnosis or a return date, so the Cavs have to plan around a question mark.