If there’s any time for the Cleveland Cavaliers to take their foot off the gas, Sunday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets may be it. The Cavs comfortably sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, with the Brooklyn Nets still holding on to their fifth-place spot after a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. With a chance to rebuild a small winning streak before the team takes on the Philadelphia 76ers, an important question came to light before Sunday’s game: Is Jarrett Allen playing tonight vs. the Heat?
Jarrett Allen injury status vs. Hornets
Jarrett Allen was listed as “out” for Sunday’s game against the Hornets after he sustained a right eye injury against the Miami Heat, Cleveland.com Cavs reporter Chris Fedor wrote in a Sunday tweet.
Guard Darius Garland will play tonight against Charlotte.
Forward Lamar Stevens will take the place of Allen in the lineup, while forward Evan Mobley will shift to center.
They have not run a lineup of Garland, Mobley, Stevens, guard Donovan Mitchell and forward Isaac Okoro this season, according to Basketball Reference. Cleveland has gone 0-1 when rolling out a lineup of Mobley, Stevens, Garland, Mitchell and guard Caris LeVert. They have gone 1-0 when forward Dean Wade took the three spot over LeVert in the same starting lineup.
Allen’s eye “got pretty messed up” in Friday’s game against the Heat. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff had no update about Allen’s condition following the game, and admitted things could be difficult for the team.
“Obviously, we would miss him,” Bickerstaff said when asked about the impact of Allen’s potential absence. “We would miss all the things that he brings on both sides of the court. His ability to protect the paint, anchor our defense and just his spirit.
“Everyone would have to step up.”
Guard LaMelo Ball was listed as “out” for the Hornets on ESPN’s injury report, while center Mark Williams was listed as “day-to-day.”
The Cavs will tip off against the Hornets at 5 p.m. EDT in the Spectrum Center. The game will be broadcasted on Bally Sports Ohio.
