The Cleveland Cavaliers are facing a big challenge ahead amid a two-game losing skid. Coming off back-to-back losses, the Cavs will host LeBron James and the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers on Friday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
However, the Cavs could be without some notable players on the lineup for that contest.
Big man Jarrett Allen and forward Peyton Watson are both given a questionable tag in the Cavs’ latest injury update on Thursday. Allen is dealing with a contusion, while Watson is down with a hamstring issue.
Allen hurt his knee during the Cavs’ 124-116 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. He left the game in the first quarter while trying to set a screen. The former Texas Longhorns star Allen was ruled out for the rest of the game, as he saw action for only seven minutes and came away with zero points and a rebound.
Watson, on the other hand, has missed the last two Cavs games and is in danger of missing a third straight contest.
On the season, Allen is averaging 13.3 points on 62.1 percent shooting from the field, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Watson is putting up 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists through six games. He was acquired by the Cavaliers in the offseason from the Denver Nuggets via a five-team trade.
The Cavaliers are going to need all hands on deck for an opponent like Philadelphia, which has only one loss in nine games in the 2026-27 NBA season. The 76ers are also on a five-game winning streak.