Report: Some Cavaliers Members Were Frustrated Jarrett Allen Refused Injection In Rib To Try And Numb Pain And Play

May 16, 2024

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

NBA, Cavaliers, Cavs, Jarrett Allen — Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

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

“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.”

The Cavaliers lost to the Celtics in five games. Allen finished the 2024 postseason with averages of 17.0 points, 13.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks.

Allen appeared in 77 games this season. He averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.1 blocks while shooting 63.4% from the field and 74.2% from the free-throw line.

Allen will make $20 million next season in the final year of his contract. He 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.

NBA insider Will Guillory of The Athletic thinks the New Orleans Pelicans could try to acquire Allen this summer. The Pelicans tried to trade for Allen this season, sources told Hoops Wire, but the Cavaliers were not interested in trading the center.

“I think Jarrett Allen is another guy the Pelicans would be interested in for their center position,” Guillory told Michael Scotto on the HoopsHype podcast.