Cleveland’s inspiring but injury-riddled 2021-22 season stuck to that theme on Monday (PHT) with a win over Toronto and the loss of its All-Star big man.
After Allen initially exited the game in the second quarter with a quad contusion, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the Cavaliers center had suffered a fractured finger and will be out indefinitely.
Allen’s absence would compound the existing injuries that have sidelined Collin Sexton, Ricky Rubio and Caris LeVert in a season that is otherwise a feel-good success. Cleveland has remained solidly among the East’s top six guaranteed playoff spots all season, and only recently had begun to show signs of slippage due to its injury-riddled roster.
Acquired from the Brooklyn Nets last season in a three-team trade, Allen has blossomed into one of the league’s better rim protectors and pick-and-roll finishers. The 23-year-old center is averaging 16.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting 67.7 percent, numbers that earned him his first All-Star Game appearance.
Monday's win gave Cleveland (37-27) a three-game lead over Toronto for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference standings.
