Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen out for Tuesday's play-in game at Nets

The Cleveland Cavaliers were hit with some expected yet upsetting news on Monday as they prepare to take the court at the Brooklyn Nets for Tuesday's play-in tournament game. 

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Cavaliers All-Star center Jarrett Allen won't be available on Tuesday because of the fractured left middle finger he first suffered during a victory over the Toronto Raptors on March 6. As Chris Fedor noted for Cleveland.com, Allen tested the finger for a workout that lasted over 15 minutes before Sunday's home win over the Milwaukee Bucks, but Fedor added on Sunday night there was "pessimism" regarding the 23-year-old's status for at least Tuesday's encounter. 

Missing Allen for over a month, the Cavaliers fell to eighth in the Eastern Conference standings. Allen was averaging 16.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game before the injury. 

The winner of Tuesday's game in Brooklyn earns the conference's No. 7 seed and a playoff matchup against the Boston Celtics. The loser will face the winner of the play-in game between the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets on Friday, according to ESPN's schedule. 

Allen's status beyond Tuesday is unclear at this time. 

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