The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a better season than many people expected and, for a while, they were sitting near the top of the Eastern Conference.
However, now the team is struggling a bit and has lost a slew of games right as the postseason comes closer.
There are several reasons for this but one of them is the number of injuries plaguing the team.
Jarrett Allen is just one of those Cavs players who is hurt with a fractured middle finger.
Since he left the team, Cleveland has gone 6-8 and fallen to seventh place in the East.
But is his return right around the corner?
No slight to The Athletic’s reporting, mind you. But, injured players cannot travel with their team unless they’re ramping up a return to the court based on my understanding.
Collin Sexton is the exception to this because the #Cavs were in Atlanta and Sexton is rehabbing there. https://t.co/h6ecodOz01
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) April 4, 2022
Evan Dammarell reported that Allen traveled with the team to Orlando even though he wasn’t permitted to play.
According to Dammarell, injured players are not allowed to travel with their teams unless they’re approaching a return date.
By that logic, it sounds like Allen will be back soon – hopefully right at the start of the playoffs.
What Allen Brings
Allen isn’t the only Cavs star sitting out because of injury right now.
The team’s incredible rookie, Evan Mobley, is also out with a sprained ankle.
However, Allen’s absence is perhaps hitting the Cavs harder than Mobley’s.
The team is 7-16 without Allen for the entire season, while they are 3-7 without Mobley.
Allen is becoming one of the best centers in the league and was named an All-Star for the first time in his career this year.
When healthy, he was averaging 16 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.
If Cleveland hopes to make a strong playoff run for the first time in years, they will need Allen back and ready to fight hard.
It sounds like that might happen.
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