Jarrett Allen's knee injury could still play a factor in the Cleveland Cavaliers' 2026 playoff run.
Once again, one of the biggest questions for the Cleveland Cavaliers heading into the postseason is whether or not the team’s health will be a factor in how deep of a playoff run they go on.
The player with the biggest unknown surrounding him is Jarrett Allen, after he missed a full calendar month in March and April with a knee injury that hasn't fully resolved yet.
Cleveland still has a few days before their first-round Game 1 matchup against the Toronto Raptors, and Allen talked about how his knee feels as the postseason rapidly approaches.
The good news is that Allen feels his knee is “better” overall, thanks to the rest and injury management he's been able to do over the last couple of weeks.
“I had some time for it to calm down and get back to homeostasis, the level that it should be,” said the Cavaliers center.
That said, even Allen admitted that his knee isn’t entirely healed, and it’s been something he’s had to deal with even after returning to the floor.
“[I was playing through] a little pain. It’s not going to go away immediately. It’s something that’s going ot have to linger for a while. But, it’s enough where I can play at a high level, I believe,” Allen said.
Nov 29, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) dribbles the ball in the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn ImagesSince officially coming back from the injury, Allen has played in five of Cleveland's nine games. There’s been a lot of good in those contests, and sometimes, it’s been clear that the Cavaliers center has been laboring on the court.
There have been times this season that Allen has been playing at an All-Star level, especially right after the All-Star Break, and just before the injury. It still remains to be seen whether the Cavaliers get that version of Allen in the playoffs, and even he admitted, “I’d be lying if I said I expect to be 100 percent” for the postseason.
“I don’t think anybody will be 100 percent going into the playoffs. That’s just how it is. That’s my very political answer. Yeah, it’s definitely something I’m going to have to deal with and manage; get treatment before, take the medicine that I’m supposed to, to try to be at my best. “
How much Allen’s knee affects him could be the difference maker in Cleveland’s postseason run. Time will tell whether or not he’ll be able to hold up.
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