Jarrett Allen was a key reason for the Cavaliers securing the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, but Cleveland has recently been forced to navigate throughout the playoffs without its center.
In the team's first-round series over the Magic, Allen suffered a rib injury that puts his availability for the rest of the postseason in question.
The Cavs are in a second-round battle with the Celtics, who boasted the best record in the NBA this season. After getting past the Magic in the first round, Donovan Mitchell and Co. are going against a powerhouse team with the hopes of reaching the Eastern Conference Final.
Without Allen, the Cavs are relying more on Evan Mobley and Tristan Thompson.
Here's what you need to know about Allen's injury and his status for the 2024 NBA Playoffs
MORE: Complete list of winners for NBA's end-of-season awards
What is Jarrett Allen's injury?
Allen is currently dealing with a right rib contusion.
The Cavaliers center reportedly took an elbow to the rib in Game 1 of the team's first-round series against the Magic, according to Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor. It was considered "minor" at first and he was able to play through it, but that changed later in the series.
Allen aggravated the injury in Game 4 against the Magic. It appears as though he took an elbow from Orlando forward Franz Wagner, worsening the ailment.
Went back and watched the second half of Cavs-Magic Game 4 to try and figure out when Jarrett Allen bruised his rib.
— Josh Poloha (@JorshP) May 1, 2024
Looks as though it might have happened at the 7:34 mark of the third quarter. Franz Wagner elbowed JA and it was clearly bothering him the following possession. pic.twitter.com/X8nXYNxn6Z
Allen played 29 minutes in the losing effort, but he has not returned to the court since.
How long is Jarrett Allen out?
It remains unclear when Allen will return to action. He missed the final three games of the first-round series against the Magic, including the winner-take-all Game 7. He was absent from Game 1 against the Celtics as well.
The latest update from The Athletic's Shams Charania was not a positive one. Charania reported on May 8 that Allen continues to deal with major discomfort in the midsection.
"He hasn't been feeling comfortable at all with that rib contusion and that's an injury where anything you do on the basketball court. ... You feel it all the time," Charania said. "The word[s] I keep hearing [are] 'really uncomfortable.'
"There hasn't been much optimism that he was going to play [in Game 1 vs. the Celtics] We'll see in the games to come if there is [optimism]."
Cavaliers vs. Celtics schedule, scores, results
| Game | Date | Site | Time (ET) | TV Channel/Result |
| 1 | Tue., May 7 | at Boston | 7 p.m. | Celtics 120, Cavaliers 95 |
| 2 | Thu., May 9 | at Boston | 7 p.m. | ESPN, Sling |
| 3 | Sat., May 11 | at Cleveland | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| 4 | Mon., May 13 | at Cleveland | 7 p.m. | TNT, Sling |
| 5* | Wed., May 15 | at Boston | TBD | TNT, Sling |
| 6* | Fri., May 17 | at Cleveland | TBD | ESPN, Sling |
| 7* | Sun., May 19 | at Boston | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
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