Marcus Morris Was ‘Surprised’ Jarrett Allen Didn’t Play In Cavaliers-Celtics Series

NBA veteran Marcus Morris said on “Run It Back” that he was “surprised” Jarrett Allen didn’t play in the Cleveland Cavaliers–Boston Celtics series. 

Allen missed the entire Cavaliers-Celtics series with a rib injury. 

.@MookMorris2 on Jarrett Allen missing playoff games due to injury.

“If you put me in that same position, do I play? Yes.” pic.twitter.com/rmTsVZFKOe

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 24, 2024

According to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, some members of the Cavaliers were frustrated Allen refused an injection to try and numb the pain in his rib and play.

The Cavaliers lost to the Celtics in five games. 

“Allen played in 81 consecutive games counting the regular season and postseason,” Charania, Vardon and Lloyd wrote. “He was initially hit in the ribs in Game 1 against Orlando, and in Game 4 of that series, an elbow by Franz Wagner ‘pierced’ a rib on Allen’s right side, according to multiple team sources. The team listed him as ‘questionable’ to play in every game after that, which means there is a chance, though he was never close to getting back into uniform.

“Few if any, members of the organization doubted the discomfort Allen has been in since the injury, but the frustration among some members of the team was that he refused an injection to try and numb the pain and play.”

Allen has two years and $40 million left on his contract. He averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.1 blocks this season while shooting 63.4% from the field and 74.2% from the free-throw line.  

Allen has career averages of 12.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.3 blocks with the Brooklyn Nets and Cavaliers. Trade rumors have already linked him to the New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings. 

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Allen has numerous admirers in rival front offices. 

“Allen continues to have numerous admirers in rival front offices despite the whispers of frustration circulating in Cleveland surrounding Allen’s apparent reluctance to take a pain-killing injection to address a rib injury that sidelined him for the Cavaliers’ final eight playoff games,” Stein wrote.