The Cleveland Cavaliers could be without one of their key players during the second round of the playoffs.
Jarrett Allen is officially questionable for the Cavaliers’ opening game against the Boston Celtics.
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The Celtics were the better team during the regular season and it will take a strong effort from the Cavs to defeat them.
However, it is possible that they will start at least the first game of the series.
Allen suffered a rib injury during the fourth game of the Cavs’ opening series against the Orlando Magic.
Franz Wagner allegedly “pierced” one of Allen’s ribs as the games got hectic.
The injury forced Allen to miss the final three games of the series and could hold him back even longer.
“He’s still working some things out, still getting treatment,” Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff said.
“He’ll be with us on the trip, obviously, and we hope he tries if he can.”
Bickerstaff explained that the injury to his core is causing Allen a lot of discomfort and making movement difficult.
“When you do something to your core, any part of your core, I mean the discomfort leads to cessation of breathing,” he said.
“But more the movement and controlling yourself and how you change direction and all that stuff and lift your arms.
“So many things that are part of basketball. You have to use your core and when that rib is bothering you, it’s hard to do all those things.”
Allen began the series against the Magic as one of the Cavs’ most reliable players.
In four games, he averaged 17.0 points, 13.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals.
He also played tight defense, something that will be sorely missed against the powerful Celtics.
Even worse, Allen had great averages against the Celtics during the NBA regular season.
NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs
First round
Celtics (1) 4-1 Heat (8)
Cavaliers (4) 4-3 Magicians (5)
Bucks (3) 2-4 Pacers (6)
Knicks (2) 4-2 76ers (7)
Conference SFs
Celtics (1) x Cavaliers (4)
Pacers (6) x Knicks (2)
He averaged 14.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steal against them.
The Cavs are not alone in their struggles with injuries, however, as the Celtics will begin their series without Kirstaps Porzingis.
Porzingis suffered a calf injury in game four of the Celtics’ opening series against the Miami Heat.
The team originally thought he might not be able to play again until a possible NBA Finals appearance, but now he will be able to suit up again against the Cavs.
The Celtics’ first game against the Cavs begins Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
