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CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers celebrated a commanding victory that took an unforeseen turn.
During the first half of Cleveland’s 142-105 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night, center Jarrett Allen sustained an injury to his right hand, raising concerns about the availability of a vital player for the NBA’s leading team.
Allen is anticipated to have an MRI on Saturday, which is a scheduled day off for the Cavaliers. After this emphatic win, the Cavs now hold an impressive record of 46-10 and will face the Memphis Grizzlies in their next match on Sunday.
He only played a handful of minutes in the second half before the team declared he would not return to action.
“The X-rays came back negative, which is reassuring,” coach Kenny Atkinson commented. “I expect him to undergo an MRI tomorrow. During the game, he approached me to say that he was in considerable discomfort and couldn’t continue. But it’s good news that the X-rays were clear.”
Allen was hesitant to share details about his injury when approached in the locker room afterward. The usually friendly player, without any bandaging on his hand, mentioned that he might have sustained the injury while attempting to block a shot in the first quarter.
“He’s doing okay,” added All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who contributed 27 points in just 26 minutes of play.
This incident is particularly concerning as the East-leading Cavaliers were just regaining their full roster. Forward Dean Wade returned to the lineup against the Knicks after being sidelined for several weeks due to a bone bruise in his knee, while forward Isaac Okoro rejoined the team on Thursday after missing time since January 16 because of a shoulder strain.
At 26, Allen plays a crucial role for the Cavaliers on both offense and defense. He faced a significant rib injury during last season’s playoffs, preventing him from participating in the Eastern Conference semifinals against Boston, which ended the Cavaliers’ postseason run in five games.
The Cavs have managed various injuries this season, but none have been severe for their key players.
Additionally, they experienced another anxious moment in the first half when All-Star guard Darius Garland landed hard on his face after a rough fall during a drive to the basket, following a foul by Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns.
Earlier, Garland took a hit to the face while defending New York guard Jalen Brunson, who was called for an offensive foul. After the fall, Garland, who had previously dealt with a broken jaw that kept him out for a significant portion of last season, remained on the floor for several minutes as trainers attended to him.
He continued in the game, successfully making one of two free throws and finishing with nine points. The 25-year-old was not seen in the locker room following the game.
