Cavaliers All-Star center Jarrett Allen returns for elimination Play-In game vs. Hawks
Jarrett Allen will reportedly suit up for Friday’s clash against Atlanta.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen returned and started in Cleveland’s Play-In loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. The Cavaliers were eliminated by the 107-101 defeat, robbing the franchise of its first playoff appearance without LeBron James since 1998.
Allen finished the game 11 points and three rebounds in over 35 minutes of action.
On Thursday, Allen was upgraded to questionable, then went through pre-game warmups before it was officially announced he would play roughly 30 minutes before game time.
He’s back! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/LXroGpxPan
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 15, 2022
The 23-year-old All-Star has been sidelined since March 6 with a fractured finger in his left hand.
It’s a must-win game for the Cavaliers, who missed their first opportunity to clinch a playoff spot after losing to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. The loser between Cleveland and Atlanta is eliminated, while the winner will clinch the No. 8 seed and face the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.
Allen was in the midst of a breakout season prior to his injury, fueling Cleveland on both ends of the floor. He averaged 16.1 points, 10.8 boards and 1.3 blocks in 56 starts.
