Jarrett Allen’s Return Sparks Cavaliers to Franchise-Record Win
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers welcomed back a crucial piece to their lineup on Friday, as Jarrett Allen made his return after missing 10 games with knee tendinitis. Allen’s presence was felt immediately, as he scored 18 points in 18 minutes to help the Cavs roll to a 149-128 win over the Miami Heat.
Before the game, Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson joked about forgetting to give Allen a pregame high-five, instead opting for a bear hug to welcome him back. “I forgot he was on the team,” Atkinson said with a laugh. “I’m so used to him not being in the starting lineup. I had to hug him to welcome him back.” Allen’s teammates and fans also gave him a warm reception, and he quickly got to work, scoring on the first possession with a short hook in the lane.
Allen’s quick start was a testament to his hard work during his recovery. “It was great,” Allen said. “Shoutout to Kenny, he drew up the first play for me. I usually don’t get the first play sometimes, but he wanted to get me going, wanted to get me back in the groove of things and from there, things just started rolling for me.” Atkinson had planned to limit Allen to 20 minutes in his first game back, but he ended up playing 18 minutes and adding 10 rebounds and a couple of dunks to his impressive stat line.
A Much-Needed Boost
The Cavaliers have been dealing with injuries all season, and Allen’s return was a much-needed boost to their lineup. Max Strus made eight 3-pointers and scored 29 points to pace the Cavaliers, who set a franchise record for points in a regulation game. Evan Mobley added 23 points, and James Harden had 17 with 14 assists — his most since joining Cleveland at the trade deadline.
Atkinson was grateful to have Allen back, especially with only eight games left in the regular season. “It starts at the rim with him — at both ends,” said Atkinson. “He gives us a threat and protects the rim, and it makes life easier. He’s like a 7-foot goalie. He’s a big part of what we do.” Allen’s presence also allows the Cavaliers to finally have a fully healthy lineup, something they’ve been missing for most of the season.
With Allen back, the Cavaliers are looking to make a push for the playoffs. They currently hold the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, and their title hopes have been raised with the addition of Harden at the trade deadline. Allen has played only a handful of games with Harden, but the two are looking to build a strong chemistry as the season winds down.
While Allen’s return is a positive sign for the Cavaliers, they are still without Jaylon Tyson (toe) and Dean Wade (ankle), two rotational players. However, with Allen back in the lineup, the Cavaliers are looking to make a deep run in the playoffs. As Atkinson said, “He’s a big part of what we do,” and his return is a significant boost to their chances.
According to NBA.com, Allen is averaging 15.3 points and 8.5 rebounds in 52 starts this season. His return to the lineup is a welcome sight for Cavaliers fans, and his performance on Friday was a great sign of things to come.
What’s Next for the Cavaliers
The Cavaliers will look to build on their win over the Heat as they head into the final stretch of the season. With Allen back in the lineup, they have a fully healthy roster for the first time in months. As they make a push for the playoffs, they’ll be relying on Allen’s dominant play in the paint to lead the way.
As the season winds down, the Cavaliers will be looking to make a deep run in the playoffs. With their fully healthy lineup, they have the potential to make some noise in the Eastern Conference. As Atkinson said, “We have a runway to get him up to speed with Harden, All-Star Donovan Mitchell and others.” The Cavaliers are looking to make the most of their opportunity, and Allen’s return is a significant step in the right direction.
