CLEVELAND — Cavaliers All-Star center Jarrett Allen is out indefinitely after breaking his left middle finger in Sunday’s win over the Toronto Raptors.
Allen was injured in the first quarter when he also suffered a quadriceps contusion while riding towards the basket. He went to the locker room, but the Cavs held on to a 104–96 lead and cemented their sixth-place finish in the Eastern Conference.
The team did not provide a timetable for Allen’s return. It’s safe to assume he’ll miss at least a few games, depending on the severity of the fracture in his non-throwing arm. Cleveland starts a three-game trip in Indiana on Tuesday.
The 7-foot Allen has been instrumental in Cleveland’s rise this season, and now the Cavs can do without him at a key stage in their playoff run.
“He’s the anchor of our defense,” forward Kevin Love said after practice on Monday. “He means so much to this team.”
Allen is averaging 16.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 56 games for the Cavs, who are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2018 after winning just 22 games last season.
His injury was the last for Cleveland, who had health problems all season. Starting with top scorer Collin Sexton suffering a season-ending knee injury in November, the Cavs have had to juggle lineups and persevere.
They are still missing defenseman Carys LeVert (sprained leg), who has played just four games since being traded last month, and backup point guard Rajon Rondo. He was signed after Ricky Rubio tore a ligament in his knee.
For now, the Cavs manage to stay competitive. Their depth will face another tough test.
“It was definitely tough,” said Love, who could have been brought back to the starting lineup after coming off the bench. “Everyone has been affected by COVID, but even aside from that, we had guys who missed a lot of games and I’m just glad that there are so many damn professionals on this team who supported us.”
After Allen lost, Cavs rookie Evan Mobley scored 20 points and grabbed 17 rebounds against the Raptors. Mobley, 20, was unflappable in his first season and the Cavs will need to count on him more than ever.
“We need him to spend more nights like last night,” Love said. “And while it’s a big responsibility, I think he’s more than capable and more than ready for it. He learns on the fly.”