Jarrett Allen’s recent performance has been nothing short of electrifying, and it didn’t just kick into high gear with James Harden’s arrival. The real ignition point came earlier when coach Kenny Atkinson gave Allen a nudge on January 28, urging him to “step up.” And step up he did.
Since that conversation, Allen has been averaging an impressive 20.8 points and 11.2 rebounds during a 9-3 run. Sure, Harden’s presence has enhanced the pick-and-roll dynamics, but Allen was already on an upward trajectory before trade rumors quieted and the deadline passed without incident.
When asked if this is the peak of his career so far, Allen, ever humble, simply replied, “Probably. The numbers speak for themselves.”
Jarrett Allen has been playing like a Top 3 center in the NBA recently 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KdnqsQ48or
- ¹⁰ (@HoodiGarland) February 26, 2026
With Harden sidelined on Wednesday due to a fractured right thumb, Dennis Schroder stepped into the starting lineup and didn’t miss a beat. He posted 26 points and dished out five assists in the close loss to Milwaukee.
Atkinson was quick to praise Schroder, saying, “I’ve always felt he is a starting point guard in this league.” Despite twisting his ankle late in the game, Schroder expects to be fine, giving Cleveland confidence they can manage if Harden’s absence continues.
Short-handed Cavs gave great effort in Milwaukee, fun game. But they needed an extra .01 of a second.
- Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) February 26, 2026
As for Harden, there’s optimism surrounding his injury. It’s his right thumb, and since he’s left-handed, the impact is somewhat mitigated.
Evaluations by a specialist have ruled out the need for surgery. Known for his resilience, Harden isn’t expected to sit out longer than necessary, especially with a break in the schedule coming up.
Both Harden and the Cavs are keeping their cool, confident that this is just a temporary setback.