How Jarrett Allen has helped Cavaliers soar without two stars
Despite several key injuries, the Cleveland Cavaliers (21-15) are playing their best basketball of the season behind strong play from center Jarrett Allen.
When it was announced on Dec. 15 that Darius Garland and Evan Mobley would miss extended time with injuries, it was assumed the 13-12 Cavaliers would struggle. Instead, Cleveland is 8-3 since the injury announcements, moving into fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Garland (20.7 PPG, 5.9 APG) is out with a fractured jaw, and Mobley (16 PPG, 10.5 RPG) is out following arthroscopic knee surgery.
During the 11-game stretch without Garland and Mobley, Allen has averaged 19.4 points, 13.2 rebounds and four assists and is shooting 66.7% from the field. Those numbers are well up from the 12.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists he averaged during his first 20 games.
Allen has put up some massive stat lines over the past month — including 30 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and 15-for-17 shooting in a 119-111 loss to the Bucks. His most recent game against the Spurs was also impressive.
Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff has taken note of Allen's recent play, saying, per the Akron Beacon Journal, "I think we all need to take a serious look at his All-Star accolades because I don't know many big guys, if any, that are playing better than him right now."
Allen is a one-time All-Star, earning a selection in the 2021-22 season.
Allen is not the only Cavaliers player playing well. During the 8-3 stretch, Cleveland is getting good play from four-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell (seven games, 26.3 PPG, 7.4 APG) and Caris LeVert (10 games, 17.9 PPG, 5.1 APG).
Cleveland has also received contributions from unlikely sources. Sam Merrill is averaging 12.7 points and shooting 44.4% from three-point range, and undrafted rookie Craig Porter Jr. is averaging 7.2 points and 4.3 assists during the hot streak.
For a season that appeared to be spiraling out of control, Cleveland's response to adversity has been impressive.
If Allen can continue his All-Star level play once Garland and Mobley return, the Cavaliers could return to the level of play of last season when they finished 51-31.
Cleveland returns to action Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets in the 2024 NBA Paris Game.
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