Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen is expected to undergo an MRI on Saturday, one day after injuring his right hand during the team’s lopsided 142-105 rout of the visiting New York Knicks.
Allen told reporters that he sustained the injury while either attempting to block a shot or make a dunk during the first half. He took the court in the third quarter before returning to the bench, with the Cavaliers announcing a short time later that he would not return to the game.
“X-rays were negative, so that’s good,” Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said after the game on Friday night. “I do think he’s going to get an MRI (on Saturday). He came up to me during the game. He goes, ‘It’s really bothering me. I’m not going to be able to finish.’ But good X-rays were negative.”
Allen, 26, is averaging 13.6 points and 10.4 rebounds in 56 games (all starts) this season. He has yet to miss a game this season for the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers (46-10), who have won six in a row and 10 of their past 11 games.
An All-Star in 2021-22, Allen is averaging 12.8 points and 9.3 boards in 542 career games (477 starts) with the Brooklyn Nets and Cavaliers.