Cavs’ Jarrett Allen receives high praise from Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama

January 8, 2024

Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen is putting together an All-Star stretch, averaging 21.0 points and 15.7 rebounds over the last seven games. The Cavs have won five of them.

That includes a dominating 29-point 16-rebound showing in the win over Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs on Sunday.

“(Allen) was a great threat and is a player that I respect,” said Wembanyama, who finished with 24 points, 10 boards and five blocked shots. “He’s the type of player I like and he’s already had a long career. He’s efficient and does the hard jobs.””

Allen’s rise has come at a perfect time for the Cavs (21-15), who remain without injured point guard Darius Garland and power forward Evan Mobley. Those two are the Cavs’ second- and third-leading scorers behind Donovan Mitchell.

“I don’t know any big man, any center who is playing better than Jarrett Allen right now,” Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “In my opinion, he’s an All-Star. He’s got to be. It’s deserving.”

At one point in Sunday’s game, Allen and Wembanyama exchanged swats, with each blocking the other’s shot. The Cavs barely won, overcoming a 26-12 deficit and then holding on at the end.

“You know how we do it down here, we like to keep the fans engaged,” Allen said. “I’m excited for Wemby because he’s talented, takes people off the dribble, is an excellent shot blocker, posts up. He has it all. And you don’t realize how big his wingspan is until you go against him.”