Jarrett Allen could be back in the mix for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, but the frontcourt picture is still cloudy heading into the matchup with the Charlotte Hornets.
The NBA’s Sunday injury report, released at 5:45 p.m. ET, lists Allen as questionable with a right knee contusion. Sam Merrill remains out with right elbow injury management, and Jaylon Tyson is also out because of a right ankle sprain.
Allen’s status is the biggest swing factor for Cleveland. He was among the players ruled out against New York on Saturday, so the questionable tag at least opens the door for a return. It does not mean he’s definitely playing.
Cleveland’s full injury report for Monday includes six players:
- Jarrett Allen - Questionable - Right knee contusion
- Sam Merrill - Out - Right elbow injury management
- Jaylon Tyson - Out - Right ankle sprain
- Nae’Qwan Tomlin - Out - Low back stress reaction
- Khalifa Diop - Out - G League assignment
- Ernest Udeh Jr. - Out - G League two-way
Diop and Udeh are on the report for G League reasons, not injury issues.
Allen’s knee became a concern during Wednesday’s game against Oklahoma City. After that game, cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor reported that Allen had played only seven minutes before his night ended.
“I’m alright,” Allen told cleveland.com.
That was his immediate reaction after the injury, not a fresh update on Monday’s availability. The more important note is Sunday’s questionable designation.
Cleveland felt Allen’s absence against the Knicks. The Cavaliers started Evan Mobley at center with Peyton Watson, Meleek Thomas, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. Mobley finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists in 32:54, while Thomas Bryant added five points and three rebounds in 15:06 off the bench.
That’s the practical case for getting Allen back. His presence would give Kenny Atkinson another body to handle the center minutes, especially when Mobley sits. It would also give the coach a chance to use the two bigs together instead of building the starting group around Mobley at center.
The rebounding issue is part of it, too. New York controlled the glass 49-40 and piled up a 26-8 edge in second-chance points in Cleveland’s 109-97 loss. That doesn’t prove Allen alone would have flipped the result, but it does point to possessions the Cavaliers need to clean up.
Merrill’s absence creates a different kind of problem. Allen can help the frontcourt, but he doesn’t replace Merrill’s perimeter shooting or movement.
On Saturday, Thomas started and scored nine points in 24:08, while Tyrese Proctor played 22:35 off the bench. Atkinson could keep leaning on those guards to cover the minutes, or adjust the balance between guard and forward looks if Allen is available.
The injury report doesn’t lock in Monday’s starting five. Saturday’s lineup only shows how Cleveland handled the absences in its last game.
Charlotte has its own availability concerns. The Hornets list Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Dennis Schroder and Grant Williams as out, while Moussa Diabate is questionable with right quadriceps tendinopathy.
So both teams enter Monday with rotation questions. For Cleveland, though, Allen’s final status is the one that will shape the frontcourt most.
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