Cavs center Jarrett Allen made NBA history with his double-double in a 110-97 win against the Brooklyn Nets. After the Cavs were well-represented at the All-Star Game by Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and head coach Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland returned with a 13-point win against the Nets, while Jarrett had a historic performance.
Allen finished with 16 points and 20 rebounds in 25 minutes, becoming the first NBA player to do so, per Stats Perform’s OptaStats’ X, formerly Twitter.
“Jarrett Allen of the Cavs is the only player since the NBA-ABA merger to have a 20-rebound double-double while playing 25 minutes or less,” Stats Perform posted.
Amidst the best rebounding campaign of his career, Allen has tied his season average of 10.5 rebounds per game from last season but has stepped up to a new level in February, averaging 13.6 boards per game. Thursday night’s season-high 20 rebounds come after he grabbed 18 in a 112-105 loss to the Boston Celtics.
Allen has made his presence felt on both ends of the floor while cleaning the glass at a high level amid the Cavs’ five-game winning streak.
Donovan Mitchell and three represent Cavs at All-Star Game
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Cavs All-Stars Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley represented the first time the franchise has sent three All-Stars to the NBA’s midseason showcase since LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love in 2017. After the event, Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson discussed the NBA’s new tournament-style format on Sunday.
Atkinson revealed why he thought it improved from last year’s, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
“I liked it,” Atkinson said. “It’s much better. It wasn’t a layup drill.”
For Evan Mobley, it was his first All-Star Game.
“Honestly, it was pretty fun out there,” Mobley said. “I feel like it was a little more competitive. I feel like if the game was a little closer, it would probably be even more competitive, but it was a different game. But I feel like as it keeps going, I think it’s going to be a good thing for the league.”
However, Garland, who played in his second All-Star Game, prefers the traditional format.
“But who am I to say?” Garland said with a laugh. “I’m a two-time All-Star, so I ain’t got no say in that.”
Mitchell and Mobley won the NBA’s Skills Challenge during All-Star Saturday Night. Meanwhile, the Cavs have won nine of their last 10 games and will look to extend their winning streak to six against the Knicks on Friday.
