CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a dominant 142-105 win against the New York Knicks, but the triumph was marred by an unexpected injury to their center, Jarrett Allen. During the first half of the game, Allen sustained a right hand injury that could potentially sideline him for an extended period, affecting the top-ranked team in the NBA.
An MRI for Allen is scheduled for Saturday, which is a day off for the Cavaliers. With this victory, the team improved its record to an impressive 46-10, marking their largest margin of victory against the Knicks in franchise history. Allen only participated briefly in the second half before it was announced he would not return to the court.
“X-rays were negative, so that’s a positive sign,” remarked head coach Kenny Atkinson. “He informed me during the game that he was in significant discomfort and couldn’t continue. Thankfully, the X-rays showed no fractures.” Following the game, Allen was hesitant to discuss the specifics of his injury but did mention he might have hurt his hand while attempting to block a shot early in the first quarter.
Donovan Mitchell, the All-Star guard who contributed significantly by scoring 27 points in just 26 minutes, reassured fans about Allen’s condition, stating, “He’s fine.”
This injury occurred at a time when the Cavaliers were finally regaining full strength. Dean Wade had just returned to action after missing multiple weeks due to a bone bruise in his knee, and Isaac Okoro was back in the lineup after being out since January 16 due to a shoulder strain.
Allen, a 26-year-old versatile player, has been a crucial asset for Cleveland on both offense and defense. Last season, he faced a serious rib injury during the playoffs, which forced him to miss the Eastern Conference semifinals as the Cavaliers were eliminated by the Boston Celtics.
The Cavaliers have experienced a series of injuries this season but have mostly avoided major setbacks among their key players. However, they endured a moment of concern in the first half when Darius Garland, another All-Star guard, suffered a facial injury after an awkward fall to the ground. Garland was driving to the basket when he collided with Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns.
Earlier in the game, Garland had taken a hit to the face while defending against New York guard Jalen Brunson, who received an offensive foul for the contact. Following his fall, Garland remained on the floor for several minutes under the care of a trainer. Fortunately, he returned to the game to shoot free throws, finishing with nine points, though he was absent from the locker room after the game.
As the Cavaliers prepare to face the Memphis Grizzlies next, the status of both Allen and Garland will be closely monitored, as their health is vital for the team’s championship aspirations.
